Morphology Summary - Staurotheca pachyclada
Morphology data of Staurotheca pachyclada
Identification keys
Main Ref. Peña Cantero, A.L. and W. Vervoort, 2003
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis Stems erect, polysiphonic, up to 16 cm high, usually deprived of branches basally. Branching scarce, irregularly pinnate, usually simple and in various planes. Stem and branches sometimes with a few perisarc constrictions. Branches strongly narrowed basally. Perisarc frequently striated. Hydrothecae present over entire length of colony, though only visible in monosiphonic parts. Hydrothecae arranged in decussate verticils of three to six hydrothecae, forming 6 to 12 longitudinal rows, cylindrical in lateral view, immersed into the branches for ca two-thirds of their volume and adcaudally almost fully adnate. In frontal view hydrotheca cylindrical at upper half, but distinctly widening basally; frequently constricted at about half its length. Hydrothecal aperture circular and tilted downwards, forming an acute angle with long axis of branches. Rim even, usually with a shallow renovation. Hydrothecae lacking mushroom-shaped diaphragm. Female gonothecae present, originating at hydrothecal base. Gonotheca oval, slightly constricted apically to form a short neck. Gonothecal aperture laterally depressed as the uneven rim is provided with two lobes, an adcauline and a much larger abcauline lobe. Gonothecal wall provided with a series of striae.
Ease of Identification likely to be confused with closely related species.

Meristic characteristics of Staurotheca pachyclada

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
spines     
soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
spines     
soft-rays   
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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