Crypthelia [Crypthelia]

Description

Crypthelia is a genus of lace corals known for their encrusting form and small, cryptic appearance. These corals are predominantly found in deeper, colder waters and are characterized by their delicate, often fan-shaped or irregularly branching colonies. Crypthelia species contribute to the complexity and diversity of deep-sea habitats, serving as both habitat and food source for a variety of marine organisms. They have a unique feeding mechanism involving the extension of tentacles to capture plankton from the surrounding water.

Species

Horn Coral [Crypthelia cornuta]

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Stellate Crypthelia [Crypthelia stellaris]

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Caribbean Crypthelia [Crypthelia trophostega]

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Taxonomy