Xenia | |
---|---|
Xenia umbellata | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Octocorallia |
Order: | Alcyonacea |
Family: | Xeniidae |
Genus: | Xenia Lamarck, 1816 [1] |
Species | |
Many; see text |
Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral in the family Xeniidae. They resemble a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. Common names include fast-pulse Xenia. Species of Xenia are sometimes referred to as pulse corals. [2]
Xenus was first named in 1816 as a genus of marine species by French naturalist and botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
The species of soft coral was inaugurated in studies of research in 1931 by Egyptian oceanographer Hamed Gohar.
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species: [1]
Xeniidae is a family of soft coral in the order Alcyonacea.
Alcyoniidae is a family of leathery or soft corals in the phylum Cnidaria.
Dendronephthya is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae. There are over 250 described species in this genus. They are sometimes kept in aquariums, but are notoriously difficult to keep, requiring a near constant supply of small foods such as phytoplankton.
Alcyonium is a genus of soft corals in the family Alcyoniidae.
Sinularia is a genus of soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae. They are commonly known as leather corals and currently have 166 described species in the genus.
Capnella is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae. They are also commonly known as Kenya tree corals.
Virgularia is a genus of sea pen in the family Virgulariidae.
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.
Clavularia is a genus of corals in the family Clavulariidae. They are often referred by the common names star polyps or clove polyps.
Klyxum is a genus of animals in the family Alcyoniidae. They are commonly called cauliflower colt coral, or simply colt coral. These common names can also refer to the related genus Cladiella.
Lobophytum is a genus of soft corals commonly known as devil's hand corals or devil's hand leather corals.
Heteroxenia is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae.
Anthelia is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae.
Cespitularia is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae.
Litophyton is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae.
Parasphaerasclera is a genus of soft coral. It is the only genus in the monotypic family Parasphaerascleridae.
Sarcophyton is a genus of corals in the family Alcyoniidae that are commonly kept in reef aquaria.
Paralemnalia is a genus of corals belonging to the family Nephtheidae.