Briareum Explained

Briareum is a genus of soft corals in the family Briareidae.^[1] The coral is cultivated by aquarium owners (under the common name "green star polyp" or GSP) for its fluorescing polyps, which reveal themselves under actinic light. The genus is in need of extensive examination, as many specimens sold by marketers display unique and similar characteristics, but are often labeled as one species, Pachyclavularia violacea.^[2]

Species

The following species are recognized within the genus:^[3]

• Briareum asbestinum (Pallas, 1766)
• Briareum contortum (Kükenthal, 1906)
• Briareum cylindrum Samimi-Namin & van Ofwegen, 2016
• Briareum hamrum (Gohar, 1948)
• Briareum palmachristi Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860
• Briareum stechei (Kükenthal, 1908)
• Briareum violaceum (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

Notes and References

1. Samimi-Namin. Kaveh. Ofwegen. Leen van. 2016-01-28. Overview of the genus Briareum (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Briareidae) in the Indo-Pacific, with the description of a new species. ZooKeys. en. 557. 1–44. 10.3897/zookeys.557.6298. 26877697. 4740834. 1313-2970. free. 2016ZooK..557....1S .
2. Web site: Briareum cylindrum, a new species of star polyp . 11 February 2016. Reefs.com.
3. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Briareum Blainville, 1834. marinespecies.org. en. 2018-04-09.