Prof. Dr. Charles G. Messing, (†), USA
Info
Very specíal thanks for the first photo of Eunicea tayrona to Prof. Dr. Charles G. Messing, Nova Southeastern University, USA.
The Caribbean gorgonian Plexaurella grandiflora forms colonies of low to medium height that are bushy and branched laterally.
The branches are variably short or long, straight or curved, densely crowded or sparse and reach a diameter of 3.5 - 4.5 mm, often with slightly swollen tips.
This gorgonian does not form mucus.
The colour of the gorgonian range from pale light brown to gorgonian a putty-like appearance.
Remarks: Due to its low, bushy growth habit with densely packed branches, Plexaurella grandiflora can resemble the gorgonian Eunicea fusca. The branches tend to be more slender than in other Plexaurella species.
Professor Dr. Peter Wirtz et al. (2009) reported two unidentified shrimps as symbionts.
Predators: Flamingo tongue snails, Cyphoma spp., are frequent predators of Pseudoplexaura species.
Plexaurella grandiflora should keep well in marine aquaria, its rather small size would also be an advantage, as would the presence of zooxanthellae.
Synonyms:
Plexaurella braziliana Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella cylindrica Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella pumila Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella verrucosa Verrill, 1912
The Caribbean gorgonian Plexaurella grandiflora forms colonies of low to medium height that are bushy and branched laterally.
The branches are variably short or long, straight or curved, densely crowded or sparse and reach a diameter of 3.5 - 4.5 mm, often with slightly swollen tips.
This gorgonian does not form mucus.
The colour of the gorgonian range from pale light brown to gorgonian a putty-like appearance.
Remarks: Due to its low, bushy growth habit with densely packed branches, Plexaurella grandiflora can resemble the gorgonian Eunicea fusca. The branches tend to be more slender than in other Plexaurella species.
Professor Dr. Peter Wirtz et al. (2009) reported two unidentified shrimps as symbionts.
Predators: Flamingo tongue snails, Cyphoma spp., are frequent predators of Pseudoplexaura species.
Plexaurella grandiflora should keep well in marine aquaria, its rather small size would also be an advantage, as would the presence of zooxanthellae.
Synonyms:
Plexaurella braziliana Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella cylindrica Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella pumila Verrill, 1912
Plexaurella verrucosa Verrill, 1912
