Plexauridae Gray, 1859

Horvath, Elizabeth A. & Stone, Robert P., 2018, Another unusual new gorgonian (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Plexauridae) from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, Zootaxa 4524 (1), pp. 112-120 : 113

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4524.1.8
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:084C4394-49B4-46DB-8844-F2A91C25C8AD
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5974911
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/26650562-FFFA-FFE6-FF24-FC276C25FAE0
treatment provided by	Plazi (2019-03-26 18:31:50, last updated 2024-11-28 03:49:24)
scientific name	Plexauridae Gray, 1859
status

Treatment

Family Plexauridae Gray, 1859 View in CoL

Diagnosis (after Kükenthal 1924; Bayer 1956, 1981; Sánchez & Cairns 2004; Williams and López-González 2005): Colonies display a variety of diverse forms, generally with thick branches arising laterally, dichotomously (in some, pinnately). Polyps completely retractile or form distinct calyces into which anthocodiae can be withdrawn. Axis with wide, chambered central chord; peripheral zone of loculated horny material, usually containing non-scleritic calcareous matter (common tendency toward heavy calcification of base in older colonies). Coenenchyme thick, perforated by system of longitudinal canals surrounding axis, delimiting outer coenenchymal layer from inner one (axial sheath), which differ in spiculation. Sclerites usually include some form of club; some with spindles only, oval bodies, rods or large quadriradiates.

References

Bayer, F. M. (1956) Octocorallia, Part F. Coelenterata. In: Moore, R. C. (Ed.), Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press, Lawrence-Kansas, pp. 166 - 231. [F 166 - F 231]

Bayer, F. M. (1981) Key to the genera of Octocorallia exclusive of Pennatulacea (Coelenterata: Anthozoa) with diagnoses of new taxa. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 94 (3), 902 - 947. Available from: hdl. handle. net / 10088 / 978 (Accessed 19 Nov. 2018)

Gray, J. E. (1859) On the arrangement of zoophytes with pinnated tentacles. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 3, 4 (24), 439 - 444. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222935908697159

Kukenthal, W. (1924) Gorgonaria. In: Das Tierreich. Fol. 47. Walter de Gruyter & Company, Berlin, pp. i-xxviii + 1 - 478.

Sanchez, J. A. & Cairns, S. D. (2004) An unusual new gorgonian coral (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden, 78 (1 - 12), 265 - 274.

Williams, G. C. & Lopez-Gonzalez, P. J. (2005) A new Genus and Species of Gorgonian Octocoral (Anthozoa: Plexauridae) from Antarctic Waters. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 56 (26), 379 - 390.