Gray, 1859
Melithaeidae (18)
Type species: Clathraria rubrinodis Gray, 1859
Total number of species estimated: 5
Description: Colonies arborescent, forming fans or bushes. Axial skeleton jointed, consisting of internodes composed of inseparably fused sclerites and nodes composed of sclerites bound together by flexible horny matter. Branches arise from the nodes of which the larger ones are often swolllen. Colour of colonies white, yellow, orange, brown or red, often nodes and internodes have different colours. Sclerites are spindles, capstans, foliate capstans, foliate spheroids and small clubs. Foliate capstans and foliate spheroids are dominating. In the calyces also longer clubs are present. Zooxanthellae absent.
Habitat: On slopes and deeper parts of the reef.
Range: Tropical Indo-Pacific
Remarks: The genera of the family Melithaeidae can only be recognized by examining the sclerites. The classification is based on prevailing types of sclerites (see van Ofwegen, 1987). Future studies can prove that all genera do not merit even subgeneric status.