Main Ref. | Trono, G.C. Jr., 2001 |
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 | Thalli form thick clumps, consisting of many clavate branches with slightly acute apices. Branches are densely covered with simple or compound spinose tubercles, regularly arranged into distinct nodes and internodes, forming verticils at the nodes; the verticils overlap at the distal portion of the branches so that the verticillate arrangement is obscured. Cross- section of a branch reveals a medulla composed of large rounded cells interspersed with smaller cells. Cortical cells very small, ovoid or elongated. Thalli up to 15 cm in height (Ref. 80758). It is easily mistaken for a live coral because of its close resemblance to corals of the genus Acropora (Ref. 80758). |
Ease of Identification |
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 |