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Plexaurella

Plexaurella
Elephant-ear-sponge.jpg
Coral reef assembly with Plexaurella nutans at right back
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass:
Order: Alcyonacea
Suborder: Holaxonia
Family: Plexauridae
Genus: Plexaurella
Kölliker, 1865
Species
See text

Plexaurella is a genus of gorgonian-type in the family Plexauridae. Species of the genus are typically characterised by their slit-pores, however, there are some which lack this distinguishing feature (e.g. P. grisea). Sclerite examination is necessary for species identification, which reveals the characteristic 4-rayed 'butterfly' spicules of the cortex and the lack of purple sclerites in the axial sheath.

The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species in the genus:


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Wikipedia

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