Preview
Family
Plexauridae
Common Name(s)
Palmer's eunicea
Colony Form
Small specimens usually candelabrum with few branches; larger speciemsn bushy, sometimes profusely branched. Branches arise throughout colony, not just near base; to at least 50 cm tall.
Axis
Cylindrical
Branches
Cylindrical, soft, flexible, to 35 cm long and 3-5 mm across.
Apertures
Circular or oblong and compressed along branch axis; calyx with thick, smooth lower lip.
Mucus
None
Color
Beige, dark yellow to ochre; occasionally purple. Dries (and in alcohol) tan or lavender gray with some ochre in calyx and dark brown apertures. Light brown polyps.
Sclerites
Polyp armature: scarce small rods. Axial layer: Deep purple spindles 0.4 mm long, slender with simple processes or stout with complex tubercles. Middle layer: slender purple spindles 0.8-1.0 mm long. Surface layer: purple spindles with strong thorns on one side, and colorless torches with sharp and narrow pointed lobes. Clubs toward colony base (sometimes also in terminal branches) often coarse, stout, with short tuberculate handles and elaborately foliate or exceptionally ornate heads.
Habitat
Waters with moderate wave exposure, from shallow depths to 25 m.
Distribution
Bahamas, South Florida, and uncommon in the Caribbean Sea
Similar Species
Date Taken
4-11-2016