Preview
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.
References
Similar Species
Date Taken
4-11-2016
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.