Valdivian soft coral
| Valdivian soft coral | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Octocorallia |
| Order: | Alcyonacea |
| Family: | Parasphaerascleridae |
| Genus: | Parasphaerasclera |
| Species: | P. valdiviae[1]
|
| Binomial name | |
| Parasphaerasclera valdiviae[1] (Kukenthal, 1906)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Valdivian soft coral (Parasphaerasclera valdiviae) is a species of colonial leathery or soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae.[2]
Description[edit]
Valdivian soft corals grow in small colonies of between 1 and 11 cm in height and up to 10 cm in diameter. The colony has stubby branches extending from a conspicuous short thick trunk. The polyps are white, but the colony colour is variable from white to pink to orange or even red. Some colonies may be bi-coloured.[3]
Distribution[edit]
This species is known from the Cape Peninsula to northern KwaZulu-Natal off the South African coast, and is common in 14-18m of water, although it is found down to at least 30m. It is endemic to this area.
Ecology[edit]
Research at Rhodes University has shown that chemicals in this soft coral may have anti-inflammatory properties.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Alcyonium valdiviae Kükenthal, 1906". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
- ^ a b Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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