Photographer

Charles Sheppard

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Family

Plexauridae

Common Name(s)

Tube-knob candelabrum

Colony Form

Candelabrum with few branches chiefly in one plane; to 30 cm tall; similar to E. mammosa. Long and scares branching.

Axis

Cylindrical in cross-section.

Branches

Long, thin, chiefly arising from near base; 2 mm across. Fewer branches than other Eunicea species.

Apertures

calices elongate, tubular or conical, longer than branch diameter, to 10 mm long, with slightly upturned lower lip, but no conspicuous sharp upper lip.

Mucus

Absent

Color

Whitish to tan or brown, sometimes blue. Dries mainly beige to pale ochre.

Sclerites

Polyp armature: flattened rods. Axial layer: acute spindles, or short spindles with prominent ornamentation; variable in size and form. Middle layer: large acute spindles to 1.5 mm long. Surface layer: torch-like clubs.

Habitat

Semi-exposed reefs, sandy bottoms and walls; possibly on deeper reef slopes of oceanic reefs in 14-40 m.

Distribution

Uncommon; Bahamas and southern Caribbean; reported as abundant on leeward reefs and slopes of San Salvador and Abaco, Bahamas (Sánchez, personal observation). Not yet reported from Florida.

Notes

Distinguishable from E. mammosa by longer, more widely spaced tube-like calices. The two species often co-occur.

Date Taken

4-11-2016

 
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