| Xeniidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Heteroxenia fuscescens | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Octocorallia |
| Order: | Malacalcyonacea |
| Family: | Xeniidae Ehrenberg, 1828 |
Xeniidae is a family of soft coral in the order Malacalcyonacea.[1]
Predators
Predatory sea slugs of the genus Phyllodesmium are reported to feed on Xeniidae species. Representatives of this family have been observed to provide shelter to juvenile fish.[2]
List of genera
The family contains the following genera:[3]
- Anthelia Lamarck, 1816
- Asterospicularia Utinomi, 1951
- Bayerxenia Alderslade, 2001
- Caementabunda Benayahu, van Ofwegen & McFadden, 2018
- Conglomeratusclera Benayahu, van Ofwegen & McFadden, 2018
- Ezziona Alderslade & Janes, 2017
- Fasciclia Janes, 2008
- Funginus Tixier-Durivault, 1978
- Heteroxenia Kölliker, 1874
- Ingotia Alderslade, 2001
- Latissimia Benayahu, Ekins & McFadden, 2022
- Orangaslia Alderslade, 2001
- Ovabunda Alderslade, 2001
- Protodendron Thomson & Dean, 1931
- Quattuoria Benayahu & McFadden, 2022
- Sansibia Alderslade, 2000
- Sarcothelia Verrill, 1928
- Sympodium Ehrenberg, 1834
- Unomia Benayahu, van Ofwegen, Allais & McFadden, 2021
- Xenia Lamarck, 1816
- Yamazatum Benayahu, 2010
Cespitularia sp.
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This nudibranch (Phyllodesmium crypticum) mimics Xeniid corals it feeds on
Cerates of a Phyllodesmium rudmani
References
- World List of Octocorallia. McFadden, C.S.; Cordeiro, R.; Samimi-Namin, K.; Williams, G.; van Ofwegen, L. (eds.). "Malacalcyonacea". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- Bos, Arthur R (2016). "Soft corals provide microhabitat for camouflaged juveniles of the Blackspotted wrasse Macropharyngodon meleagris (Labridae)". Marine Biodiversity. 46 (1): 299–301. doi:10.1007/s12526-015-0332x (inactive 1 July 2025).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link) - World List of Octocorallia. McFadden, C.S.; Cordeiro, R.; Samimi-Namin, K.; Williams, G.; van Ofwegen, L. (eds.). "Xeniidae Ehrenberg, 1828". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
External links
Data related to Xeniidae at Wikispecies
