Anthomastus giganteus

Anthomastus giganteus, or the gigantic soft coral, is a deep dwelling species of soft coral from South Africa.

Anthomastus giganteus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Octocorallia
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Alcyoniidae
Genus: Anthomastus
Species:
A. giganteus
Binomial name
Anthomastus giganteus
Tixier-Durivault, 1954

Description

This soft coral is made up of large, fleshy polyps arising from a single long stalk. All the polyps are autozoids, meaning that they are independent and capable of feeding themselves.stalked. The disc-like base is often attached to a hard substance or to debris. The stalk ranges from pink or red to orange and the polyps are a paler beige, white or pinkish colour. Alternatively, the whole organism may be white in colour.[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is known from the coast of South Africa.[2] It is one of the deepest occurring soft corals and has been found at depths of up to 450 m (1,480 ft).[2]

References

  1. Atkinson, Lara J; Sink, Kerry J (2018). Field guide to the offshore marine invertebrates of South Africa (PDF). Pretoria: South African Environmental Observation Network. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. OCLC 1037159161.
  2. Leen van Ofwegen (2010). "Anthomastus giganteus". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
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