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.

References: Bayer (1961), Humann and DeLoach (2002).

Similar Species: Muricea pendula