Pallas, 1766
Antipathes cf ericoides
Type species: Antipathes dichotoma Pallas, 1766
Total number of species estimated: 75
The most common species: Antipathes dichotoma Pallas; A. curvata van Pesch; A. aculeata Brook; A. simplex Schultze.
Description: Colonies mainly bushy or fan-shaped. Pinnules (smallest branchlets having a uniform size and arrangement) usually not present. Spines compressed, triangular or conical, equal on all sides of the axis or longer on the polyp side. Surface of spines smooth or slightly papillose, sometimes with one or more bifurcations at apex. Spines not projecting through the surface of the polyps. Polyps 0.7-3 mm in transverse diameter.
Habitat: Reefs, shelf, upper slope, and deep sea.
Range: Primarily subtropic and tropic regions. The highest diversity of species is found in the tropical waters.
Zooanthellate: Not reported.
Key references: Brook, 1889; Schultze, 1896; van Pesch, 1914; Pax, 1932.