Genus Myriopathes

Opresko, 2001

Myriopathes myriophylla

Type species: Antipathes myriophylla Pallas, 1766

Total number of species estimated: 9.
The most common species: Myriopathes myriophylla (Pallas); M. ulex (Ellis and Solander).

Description: Colonies often fan-shaped to varying degrees; sometimes bushy. Stem and branches with two rows of bilateral, alternately arranged pinnules. Pinnules with subpinnules on one side of axis. Spines conical to horn-shaped, longer on the polyp side of the axis. Surface of spines smooth. Polyps 0.6-0.8 mm in transverse diameter.

Habitat: Reefs to upper slope; often in caves and under ledges in shallow-water.

Range: Tropic and subtropic regions. The highest diversity of species is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific waters.

Zooanthellate: Not reported.

Key references: Brook, 1889; Opresko, 2001.

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