Species richness and distribution of azooxanthellate Scleractinia in Brazil

The azooxanthellate Scleractinia from Brazilian waters are reviewed based on examination of museum specimens and current literature, indicating the occurrence of 59 species, including the first southern Atlantic description of: Caryophyllia berteriana Duchassaing, 1850, Caryophyllia crypta Cairns, 2000, Caryophyllia scobinosa Alcock, 1902, and Dendrophyllia alternata Pourtalès, 1880. A checklist of all species, including first reported occurrence, relevant literature, survey vessel, position and depth range data, and water masses within which Brazilian azoox-anthellate Scleractinia occur, are provided. An identification key is proposed and almost all species discussed in this document are illustrated. Distributional patterns of deep-sea corals from Brazil as well as other geographical areas are briefly discussed, and a strong affinity with those Scleractinia from the Caribbean waters is demonstrated. A diagnosis for the species first time described for the southern Atlantic is provided.