Kukenthal and Broch, 1911
Cavernulina cylindrica (2)
Type species: Cavernulina cyl;indrica Kukenthal and Broch, 1911
Total number of species estimated: 3
Description: Clavate or cylindrical in shape. Axis present. Polyps radially arranged throughout the rachis. Polyp leaves absent. Polyps emanate directly from surface of rachis. polyps retractile into rachis with calyces absent. Siphonozooids numerous between autozooids. Sckerites are mostly rods and spindles often with bilobed or branched ends. Polyps sclerites absent. Zooxanthellae at least in one species.
Habitat: Mostly on shallow sand flats adjacent to reefs, and also in deeper reef areas.
Range: Pacific Ocean (southeastern Africa to Central America); 8-62 meters in depth.
Ecology: Cavernulina cylindrica is known to be diurnal and zooxanthellate; the extended polyps are brown with algal cells as observed in shallow sunlit waters.
Additional remarks: Williams (1995:103) considers the genus to be of dubious validity taking into consideration the variable nature of branched and unbranched sclerites in several taxa of Cavernularia and Cavernulina . Clastres et al. (1984) report novel diterpenes from Cavernulina grandiflora.