Echinoptilidae Explained

Echinoptilidae is a family of sea pens, a member of the subclass Octocorallia in the phylum Cnidaria.

Characteristics

Colonies are cylindrical without axis, and the rachis is generally longer than the peduncle. The colony may be radially or bilaterally symmetrical. Autozooids have non-retractile, bifurcated calyces with many sclerites.^[1]

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific to south western Africa in shallow sublittoral to over 800m depth.^[1]

Genera

The World Register of Marine Species list the following genera:^[2]

• Genus Actinoptilum Kükenthal, 1911
• Genus Echinoptilum Hubrecht, 1885

Notes and References

1. The Pennatulacea of Southern Africa (Coelentrata, Anthozoa), Annals of the South African Museum Volume 99 May 1990 part 4, Cape Town.
2. van Ofwegen, L. (2012). Echinoptilidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=196247 on 2013-04-19