Virgulariidae Explained

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

Characteristics

Colonies are bilateral, long and slender to very slender. The colony axis is noticeable and present throughout.^[1]

Genera

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

• Acanthoptilum Kölliker, 1870
• Grasshoffia Williams, 2015^[3]
• Scytaliopsis Gravier, 1906
• Scytalium Herklots, 1858
• Stylatula Verrill, 1864
• Virgularia Lamarck, 1816

Notes and References

1. Williams G.C., 1990: The Pennatulacea of southern Africa (Coelenterata, Anthozoa). Annals Of The South African Museum. 99(4): 31-119.
2. Williams, G. (2015). Virgulariidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-12-31
3. Williams, G. (2015) A new genus and species of pennatulacean octocoral from equatorial West Africa (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Virgulariidae). ZooKeys 546, 39-50