Main Ref. | Peña Cantero, A.L., A. Svoboda and W. Vervoort, 2002 |
Appearance refers to |
specialized organs | |
different appearance | |
different colors | |
remarks |
Striking features | |
Body shape lateral | |
Cross section | |
Dorsal head profile | |
Type of eyes | |
Type of mouth/snout | |
Position of mouth | |
Diagnosis | Colonies monosiphonic, consisting either of a mass up to 5 cm in diameter, composed of interwoven stems and branches, or of small stems arising from the substratum. Mass-shaped colonies without a distinct stem. Branches continuously re-branching, usually irregularly in several planes, though sometimes with alternate arrangement. Branches frequently becoming anastomosing tendrils distally. Hydrothecae of lower-order branches in same plane as those of higher order. Stem and branches divided into internodes; one hydrotheca per internode. Hydrothecae alternately arranged in one or in two planes making an obtuse angle. Hydrotheca small, strongly abcaudally directed and adnate to internode for approximately half of its length, though hydrothecae with the free portion longer or shorter than adnate part may be observed. Hydrotheca with a distinct inflexion point where adcauline wall becomes free. Abcauline wall concave, usually with a slight swelling basally. Free part of adcauline hydrothecal wall straight or slightly convex; adnate part almost straight. Hydrothecal aperture with three blunt cusps separated by shallow embayments. Rim of hydrothecal aperture with frequent renovations. Gonothecae fusiform, arising at hydrothecal base. Gonothecal walls smooth or slightly wavy, with a short terminal neck, widening distally to the aperture. |
Ease of Identification | likely to be confused with closely related species. |
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 |
Attributes | |
Fins number | |
Finlets No. | Dorsal |
Ventral | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total | |
Adipose fin |
Attributes |
Fins number | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total |
Pectoral | Attributes |
spines | |
soft-rays | |
Pelvics | Attributes |
Position | |
spines | |
soft-rays |