Xenia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Anthozoa |
Order: | Alcyonacea |
Family: | Xeniidae |
Genus: |
Xenia Lamarck, 1816 |
Species | |
many; see text |
many; see text
Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral resembling a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. Common Names include: Xenia Elongata, Fast-Pulse Xenia, Xenia is sometimes referred to a Pulse Corals.
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species: