Photographer

Paul Humann

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Family

Plexauridae

Common Name(s)

Long-spine sea fan

Colony Form

Branched pinnately in one plane, but older colonies somewhat bushy; to 45 cm tall.

Axis

Present

Branches

End branches stiff, short, widely spaced, 2.5-3.0 mm in diameter; slightly curved and arising from main stems at angle of 40°-45°.

Apertures

Small, well spaced (not crowded), prominent, with pointed lower lip bearing sharp spine, directed upward toward branch tip.

Mucus

None

Color

Whitish. light gray or yellowish-brown; dries dries white or tan.

Sclerites

Outer layer and calices: spindles long and slender, finely spinose on outer surface, with tubercles on inner surface, to 2.0 mm long; calice spindles have short terminal spike. Inner layer: small 8-rayed capstans (double stars) ~0.1 mm long; some more elongated and rod-like, to 0.15 mm long, with two whorls of spines.

Habitat

Moderate to deep forereefs.

Distribution

Bermuda, Bahamas, South Florida, West Indies.

Notes

Similar to Muricea pendula but distinguished by pale color; in M. pendula, the large pointed sclerites of calices lack a terminal spike, inner sclerites are larger and end branches thicker.

Date Taken

4-11-2016

 
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