Main Ref. | Collin, R., M.C. Díaz, J. Norenburg, R.M. Rocha, J.A. Sánchez, M. Schulze, A. Schwartz and A. Valdés, 2005 |
Appearance refers to |
specialized organs | |
different appearance | |
different colors | |
remarks |
Striking features | |
Body shape lateral | |
Cross section | |
Dorsal head profile | |
Type of eyes | |
Type of mouth/snout | |
Position of mouth | |
Diagnosis | Encrusting, massive: 0.2 - 4 cm or ramose: 50 - 80 cm high. Dark red externally and internally. Surface has a transparent-whitish membrane, with radial canals that converge in oscula: 0.3 - 2 cm in diameter (Ref. 415). Low or tall masses in bushy, rounded or fan-shaped forms; occassional short tube-like lobes ending in oscules. Short, irregular branched extensions, or ridges or lumps, supported by subdermal skeletal elements. Elevated oscules. Transparent exhalant canal systems may converge around oscules, revealing red to red-orange interior color, but collapses and becomes inconspicuos when animal is taken out of water. Soft tissue consistency; exudate stains fingers when handled. Tough skeleton. Plumose tracts of the principal subtylostyles support encrusting specimens at the base; while a central meshwork of plumose spicules surrounded by spongin are present in thicker, bushy, massive and fan-shaped specimens (Ref. 85482). |
Ease of Identification | likely to be confused with closely related species. |
Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
Scales on lateral line | |
Pored lateral line scales | |
Scales in lateral series | |
Scale rows above lateral line | |
Scale rows below lateral line | |
Scales around caudal peduncle | |
Barbels | |
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
Gill rakers | |
on lower limb | |
on upper limb | |
total | |
Vertebrae | |
preanal | |
total |
Attributes | |
Fins number | |
Finlets No. | Dorsal |
Ventral | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total | |
Adipose fin |
Attributes |
Fins number | |
Spines total | |
Soft-rays total |
Pectoral | Attributes |
spines | |
soft-rays | |
Pelvics | Attributes |
Position | |
spines | |
soft-rays |