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.

species of cnidarian

Paramuricea is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae.

thumb | right Astrogorgia is a genus of soft corals that look like fans and belong to the family Plexauridae and the order Alcyonacea. Addison Emery Verrill established the genus in 1868. It is known for playing an important ecological role in coral reef ecosystems and for having a lot of potential for pharmacological research because it contains bioactive natural substances.

Pseudoplexaura is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. They form tall, branching, tree-like colonies and are native to reefs in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Plexaurella is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals 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.

Euplexaura is a genus of cnidarians belonging to the family Plexauridae.

Swiftia is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. thumb|right|With tentacles spread for feeding

Eunicea is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. These branched octocorals typically have knobby protuberances from which the polyps protrude. They are often stiffened by purple sclerites and some colonies, in brightly lit back-reef areas are purple, though most colonies are brown or grey. The polyps in some species are large and feathery in appearance. The growth of these corals is rapid and they can be kept in a reef aquarium.

Villagorgia is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae.

Acanthomuricea is a genus of corals belonging to the family Plexauridae.

Muriceopsis is a genus of gorgonian-type, branching colonial octocorals in the family Plexauridae. They are found on shallow water reefs and are capable of developing sweeper tentacles. The growth of these corals is rapid and they can be kept in a reef aquarium.

Paracis is a genus of corals belonging to the family Plexauridae.

Bebryce is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae.

species of cnidarian

species of cnidarian

Echinogorgia is a genus of corals belonging to the family Plexauridae.

Plexaura is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. == Medical research ==

Lepidomuricea is a genus of corals belonging to the family Plexauridae.

species of cnidarian

species of cnidarian

species of cnidarian

species of cnidarian

species of cnidarian