Plexauridae
Plexauridae is a family of marine colonial octocorals in the phylum Cnidaria. Members of this family are found in shallow tropical and subtropical seas. Many species contain symbiotic photosynthetic protists called zooxanthellae. Characteristics The Plexauridae have a branching colony form and many are known as sea rods or sea fans. The axial core of the coral skeleton is horny and hollow, and contains no sclerites. This is covered by a layer of tissue called coenenchyme in which is embedded calcareous sclerites. The sclerites are very varied in form in the Plexauridae, and examination of their morphology is helpful in identifying the different species. The calyces in which the polyps sit are strengthened by further sclerites and have eight fine dividing walls called septa. The polyps each have eight pinnate tentacles. Genera The World Register of Marine Species includes these genera in this family: Acanthacis Deichmann, 1936 Acanthomuricea Hentschel, 1903 Acis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 Alaskagorgia Sánchez & Cairns, 2004 Anthomuricea Studer, 1887 Anthoplexaura Kükenthal, 1908 Astrogorgia Verrill, 1868 Astromuricea Germanos, 1895 Bayergorgia Williams & Lopez-Gonzalez, 2005 Bebryce Philippi, 1841 Chromoplexaura Williams, 2013 Cryogorgia Williams, 2005 Dentomuricea Grasshoff, 1977 Discogorgia Kükenthal, 1919 Echinogorgia Kölliker, 1865 Echinomuricea Verrill, 1869 Elasmogorgia Wright &