Genus Briareum

Blainville, 1830

Briareum (3)

Type species: Briareum gorgonoideum Blainville, 1830

Total number of species estimated: 5

Description: Colonies encrusting but cylindrical upright branches may be present. Polyps monomorphic and retractile. Colour of colonies pale pinkish-brown, often with green tentacles Sclerites are large tuberculate spindles and three-armed bodies. Surface sclerites colourless, internal sclerites purple. Zooxanthellae present.

Habitat: shallow water, common.

Range: Tropical western Atlantic, Tropical Indo-Pacific.

Additional remarks: Species with very tall calyces have been referred to the genus Pachyclavularia.

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