| Parasphaerasclera | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Order: | Alcyonacea |
| Family: | Parasphaerascleridae McFadden & van Ofwegen, 2013 |
| Genus: | Parasphaerasclera McFadden & van Ofwegen, 2013 |
Parasphaerasclera is a genus of soft coral. It is the only genus in the monotypic family Parasphaerascleridae.
The following species are recognized: [1]
Alcyonacea, or soft corals, are an order of corals. In addition to the fleshy soft corals, the order Alcyonacea now contains all species previously known as "gorgonian corals", that produce a more or less hard skeleton, though quite different from "true" corals (Scleractinia). These can be found in suborders Holaxonia, Scleraxonia, and Stolonifera. They are sessile colonial cnidarians that are found throughout the oceans of the world, especially in the deep sea, polar waters, tropics and subtropics. Common names for subsets of this order are sea fans and sea whips; others are similar to the sea pens of related order Pennatulacea. Individual tiny polyps form colonies that are normally erect, flattened, branching, and reminiscent of a fan. Others may be whiplike, bushy, or even encrusting. A colony can be several feet high and across, but only a few inches thick. They may be brightly coloured, often purple, red, or yellow. Photosynthetic gorgonians can be successfully kept in captive aquaria.
Precious coral, or red coral, is the common name given to a genus of marine corals, Corallium. The distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely colored red or pink-orange skeleton, which is used for making jewelry.
Corallimorpharia is an order of marine cnidarians closely related to stony or reef building corals (Scleractinia). They occur in both temperate and tropical climates, although they are mostly tropical. Temperate forms tend to be very robust, with wide and long columns, whereas tropical forms tend to have very short columns with a wide oral disc and very short tentacles. The tentacles are usually arranged in rows radiating from the mouth. Many species occur together in large groups, although there are recorded instances of individuals. In many respects, they resemble the stony corals, except for the absence of a stony skeleton. Morphological and molecular evidence suggests that they are very closely related to stony corals.
Acanella is a genus of deep-sea bamboo coral of the family Isididae, containing the following species: Acanella are mainly studied and found in Hawaii, they are able to survive in high-flow sites and are preyed upon by nudibranch mollusks. It has a high fecundity and small size that allows high dispersal and recruitment; however, it has been classified as a vulnerable marine organism due to its vulnerability to bottom fishing gear.
Nephtheidae is a family of soft corals in the phylum Cnidaria. Members of this family are known as carnation corals, tree corals or colt soft corals. They are very attractive and show a wide range of rich and pastel colours including reds, pinks, yellows and purples. They are popular with reef aquarium hobbyists.
The Valdivian soft coral is a species of colonial leathery or soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae.
Eleutherobia is a genus of soft corals in the family Alcyoniidae.
Subergorgia is a genus of soft corals belonging to the family Subergorgiidae.
Siphonogorgia is a genus of soft corals in the family Nidaliidae. Like other members of this family, these corals do not contain symbiotic zooxanthellae.
Anthomastus is a genus of soft corals in the family Alcyoniidae.
Ellisella, commonly known as sea whip, is a genus of soft coral in the family Ellisellidae.
Nephthyigorgia is a genus of soft corals of the family Nidaliidae.
Rhytisma is a genus of soft corals in the family Alcyoniidae.
Ingotia is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae.
Sympodium is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae.
Litophyton is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae.
Iciligorgia is a genus of soft coral in the family Anthothelidae.
Erythropodium is a genus of soft coral in the family Anthothelidae.
Pennatula is a genus of sea pens in the family Pennatulidae. The genus contains several bioluminescent species, including Pennatula rubra, Pennatula phosphorea, and Pennatula aculeata.
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