| Diagnosis |
Colonies compact, consisting of a mass of anastomosed branches, up to 9 cm wide. Branching frequent, irregular and in several planes; branches mainly monosiphonic, but polysiphonic in some parts. Hydrothecae arranged in decussate verticils of three hydrothecae forming six longitudinal rows; occasionally, however, at the origin of branches decussate pairs may be present. Hydrothecal verticils closely packed. This, together with the strong perisarc development, gives the colony the aspect of a closely knit net. Hydrotecae immersed into branches for ca<> one-third or less of their volume. Adcauline hydrothecal wall with a short, but distinct free portion; abcauline wall almost straight or slightly concave. Hydrothecal aperture slightly tilted downwards; rim uneven with an abcauline elevation due to the greater length of the abcauline hydrothecal wall. Hydrothecal aperture frequently with renovations. Hydrothecal diaphragm mushroom-shaped, provided with two abcauline projections pointing into the hydrothecal lumen. Gonothecae absent. |