Pteronisis
| Pteronisis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Octocorallia |
| Order: | Scleralcyonacea |
| Family: | Mopseidae |
| Genus: | Alderslade, 1998 |
| Species | |
| |
Pteronisis is a genus of coral in the family Mopseidae.[1] The name derives from Greek pteron, meaning "feather", in allusion to the pinnate branching.[2]
Description
Most specimens are smaller than 20 cm, but can reach up to at least 36 cm.[2] The genus is mostly planar, pinnate, and profusely branched, with at least one exception.[2] Axial internodes are generally colorless, greyish white, or sometimes pale shades of pink or red.[2] Axial nodes are generally light to dark brown near the base of the plant, yellowish to yellowish brown in the principal branches, and pale yellow, white, or colorless, with a darker central band, in the pinnae.[2]
References
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pteronisis". Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Alderslade, P. (1998). Revisionary systematics in the gorgonian family Isididae, with descriptions of numerous new taxa (Coelenterata: Octocorallia). Records of the Western Australian Museum. Supplement No. 55: 1-360.