Cauliflower soft coral
Cauliflower soft coral | |
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Cauliflower soft coral | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Octocorallia |
Order: | Alcyonacea |
Family: | Nephtheidae |
Genus: | Eunephthya |
Species: | E. t. [1]
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Binomial name | |
Eunephthya thyrsoidea [1] Verrill, 1869
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The cauliflower soft coral (Eunephthya thyrsoidea) is a species of colonial soft coral in the family Nephtheidae.[2]
Description[]
Cauliflower soft corals grow in colonies of up to 30 centimeters in height. The polyps are 0.2 cm in diameter. It grows as a large whitish colony with side branches ending in bunches of grey- or brown-tinged polyps.[3]
Distribution[]
This species is known from the Cape Peninsula to northern KwaZulu-Natal off the South African coast, and lives from 10 to 240m under water.
Ecology[]
This species is often found on vertical rockfaces and when not feeding it contracts tightly, and its resemblance to a cauliflower is striking. It is fed upon by the walking anemone, Preactis millardae.[3]
References[]
- ^ http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=701643 accessed 21 July 2013
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
- ^ a b Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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Categories:
- Nephtheidae
- Corals described in 1869