42
R. K. DELL
Antarctic corals of this group have been Gardiner (1913, 1929, 1939),
Wells (1958) and Squires (1961, 1962, 1969).
Seven species are now recognized from the Antarctic (Squires, 1969),
Fungiacyathus symmetricus (Pourtales), Gardineria lilliei Gardiner, G.
antarctica Gardiner, Flabellum antarcticum (Gravier), F. impensum
Squires, Balanophyllia chnous Squires, and Caryophyllia antarctica von
Marenzeller. Of these Fungiacyathus symmetricus is a cosmopolitan
deep-water species recorded from a few scattered localities within the
limit of the Antarctic Convergence, and Balanophyllia chnous is known
only from the Ross Sea. Two species, Flabellurn impensum and Caryophyllia antarctica extend north to southern South America, while the
remaining four species are endemic. Five species, Gardineria lilliei,
G. antarctica, Flabellurn antarctica, P. impensum and Caryophyllia
antarctica appear to be circumpolar in distribution, although the
records for some species are sparse.
Squires (1969, p. 17) believes that the Antarctic fauna is rather
clearly demarcated from neighbouring faunas. The evidence points to
a migration route from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula
which is obviously still available, and a possible more ancient route
through the Macquarie Rise. Squires also pointed out that the indications of uneven distribution patterns for southern corals from " blind "
dredging and trawling have been confirmed by underwater photography. When corals do occur, they may be present in great numbers,
but such concentrations may be separated from one another by areas
of very low coral density.
As with members of other groups of animals, the depth ranges for
Antarctic corals are wider than they are for similar species elsewhere.
Squires (1962, p. 12) gave a table showing the ranges for the species
known from the Ross Sea.
Caryophyllia antarctica 46-600 m
Flabellurn impensum
46-2 260 m
F . antarcticum
53-591 m
Gardineria antarctica
46-603 m
G. lilliei
95-360 m
Balanophyllia chnous
355-457 m
2. Actiniaria
This is a group upon which little recently published material is
available. Contributions based upon expedition material have come
from Clubb (1902, 1908), Roule (1911) and Pax (1922a, 1926). The
major worker in the Antarctic, as elsewhere, has been Carlgren
R. K. DELL
Antarctic corals of this group have been Gardiner (1913, 1929, 1939),
Wells (1958) and Squires (1961, 1962, 1969).
Seven species are now recognized from the Antarctic (Squires, 1969),
Fungiacyathus symmetricus (Pourtales), Gardineria lilliei Gardiner, G.
antarctica Gardiner, Flabellum antarcticum (Gravier), F. impensum
Squires, Balanophyllia chnous Squires, and Caryophyllia antarctica von
Marenzeller. Of these Fungiacyathus symmetricus is a cosmopolitan
deep-water species recorded from a few scattered localities within the
limit of the Antarctic Convergence, and Balanophyllia chnous is known
only from the Ross Sea. Two species, Flabellurn impensum and Caryophyllia antarctica extend north to southern South America, while the
remaining four species are endemic. Five species, Gardineria lilliei,
G. antarctica, Flabellurn antarctica, P. impensum and Caryophyllia
antarctica appear to be circumpolar in distribution, although the
records for some species are sparse.
Squires (1969, p. 17) believes that the Antarctic fauna is rather
clearly demarcated from neighbouring faunas. The evidence points to
a migration route from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula
which is obviously still available, and a possible more ancient route
through the Macquarie Rise. Squires also pointed out that the indications of uneven distribution patterns for southern corals from " blind "
dredging and trawling have been confirmed by underwater photography. When corals do occur, they may be present in great numbers,
but such concentrations may be separated from one another by areas
of very low coral density.
As with members of other groups of animals, the depth ranges for
Antarctic corals are wider than they are for similar species elsewhere.
Squires (1962, p. 12) gave a table showing the ranges for the species
known from the Ross Sea.
Caryophyllia antarctica 46-600 m
Flabellurn impensum
46-2 260 m
F . antarcticum
53-591 m
Gardineria antarctica
46-603 m
G. lilliei
95-360 m
Balanophyllia chnous
355-457 m
2. Actiniaria
This is a group upon which little recently published material is
available. Contributions based upon expedition material have come
from Clubb (1902, 1908), Roule (1911) and Pax (1922a, 1926). The
major worker in the Antarctic, as elsewhere, has been Carlgren