Carijoa, Muller, 1867

Lam, Katherine & Morton, Brian, 2008, Soft corals, sea fans, gorgonians (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) and black and wire corals (Ceriantipatharia: Antipatharia) from submarine caves in Hong Kong with a checklist of local species and a description of a new species of Paraminabea, Journal of Natural History 42 (9 - 12), pp. 749-780 : 768-769

Carijoa sp.

( Figure 7)

Description

Colonies with undivided stems and numerous lateral polyps. The stems are united and arise from a network of stolons that encrust the substratum. Stolons partially covered by encrusting sponges. Polyps are monomorphic and retractable into a short body. Sclerites are slender, colourless, rod-like with a few surface warts.

Distribution

Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean.

Remarks

Occurs in both Steep Island and Conic Island caves. Two specimens were collected from Conic Island Cave. One specimen was in the form of stolons encrusting an empty barnacle shell whereas the other consisted of encrusting stolons and several stems. Sclerites thin, needle-like with a few tubercles,, 0.2 mm. New record for Hong Kong.