Plexaurella
Plexaurella is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. Species of the genus are typically characterised by their slit-pores, however, there are some which lack this distinguishing feature. Sclerite examination is necessary for species identification, which reveals the characteristic 4-rayed 'butterfly' spicules of the cortex and the lack of purple sclerites in the axial sheath.
Species
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species in the genus:- Plexaurella crassa
- Plexaurella curvata Kunze, 1916
- Plexaurella dichotoma
- Plexaurella furcata
- Plexaurella grandiflora Verrill, 1912
- Plexaurella grisea Kunze, 1916
- Plexaurella heteropora
- Plexaurella kunzei Kükenthal, 1916>
- Plexaurella minuta Kunze, 1916
- Plexaurella nutans
- Plexaurella regia Barreira e Castro, 1986
- Plexaurella tenuis Kunze, 1916
- Plexaurella teres Kunze, 1916
- ''Plexaurella vermiculata''