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Pseudonephthea
Pseudonephthea is a genus of corals containing the only species Pseudonephthea liltvedi, or the stalked cauliflower soft coral. It is a cnidarian that is endemic to the coast of South Africa. DescriptionColonies, which may consist of several stems, rise from a single base. The colonies range between 56 mm (2.2 in) and 110 mm (4.3 in) in size.[1] They form erect, cauliflower-like forms with the polyps closely clustered at the ends of short, narrow branches. The bundles of polyps are supported by cup-like structures and do not have.[1] The colonies are variable in colour and usually range from white or pale beige to pink and orange.[1] They may look similar to species belonging to Eunephthya. Eunephthya species, however, have branches of equal width (opposed to a range of ranch thicknesses found in Pseudonephthea liltvedi).[1] Distribution and habitatThis species is endemic to the Benguela region off the west coast of South Africa.[1][2] They lack zooxanthellae, which allows them to grow in deeper regions as they do not rely on the associated photosynthesis for sustenance. They are found in temperate waters at a depth of 20–2,000 m (66–6,562 ft).[1] TaxonomyThis species was considered to belong to the genus Gersemia until 2022. Following a phylogenomic study it was moved into its own genus and its own family to reflect its unique phylogeny and morphology.[2] The family and genus name pay tribute to its former misclassification to two different genera in the family Nephtheidae.[2] References
Information related to Pseudonephthea |
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