Siphonogorgia godeffroyi

Siphonogorgia godeffroyi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Nidaliidae
Genus: Siphonogorgia
Species: S. godeffroyi
Binomial name
Siphonogorgia godeffroyi
Kölliker, 1874[1]

Siphonogorgia godeffroyi, the cherry blossom coral or Godeffroy's Soft Coral, is a species of soft coral in the family Nidaliidae. It is native to the central Indo-Pacific region. Its range includes Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.[2] This species was first described in 1874 by the Swiss biologist Albert von Kölliker.

Description

The tunicate Atriolum robustum on Siphonogorgia godeffroyi

Siphonogorgia godeffroyi is an arborescent coral with red or pink bare branches. The polyps are white and star-like and are concentrated on the tips of small branches. This species feeds on plankton. It is found at depths between 10 and 20 m (33 and 66 ft) and grows on both rocky and coral reefs, on rock ledges, on reef slopes and under overhangs.[3]

References

  1. van Ofwegen, Leen (2013). "Siphonogorgia godeffroyi Kölliker, 1874". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  2. "Siphonogorgia godeffroyi". Discover Life. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  3. "Cherry Blossom Coral". What's that fish?. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
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