Cnidarians/ Radiates

Exclusively marine solitary or colonial Cnidarians in which the medusoid stage is completely absent (Sea anemones, hard corals soft corals gorgonians and and sea pens.)

Polyps with more than eight tentacles and mesenteries, the latter typically in cycles of 12

Black or thorny corals

Small anemone-like anthozoans having one siphonoglyph and no skeleton

Sea anemones. Solitary anthozoans with no skeleton, with mesenteries in hexamerous cycles, and usually with two siphonoglyphs

Stony corals. Mostly colonial anthozoans secreting a heavy, external, calcareous skeleton. Sclerosepta arranged in hexamerous cycles

Solitary species with radially arranged tentacles. Resemble true corals but lack a skeleton

Polyp with eight hollow marginal pinnate tentacles and eight mesenteries, single siphonoglyph

No coenenchymal mass; polyps arising from a creeping coenosarcal mat or stolon. skeleton of calcarious tubes of separate calcareous spicules, or horny external cuticle

Blue corals, having a massive, blue, calcareous skeleton.

Soft corals. Coenenchyme forming a rubbery mass with upright elongated polyps completely embedded in coenosarc. Colony may have a massive mushroom shape or an encrusting growth form. Skeleton of calcareous spicules

Horny corals. Sea fans and sea whips. Common tropical and subtropical octocorrallian cnidarians having a largely upright plant-like growth form and an axial skeleton of a horny organic material.

Precious corals. Less common deeper tropical waters Octocorrallian cnidarians having a largely upright plant-like growth form and an axial skeleton of a compacted spicules

Sea pens. Colony having a fleshy flattened or elongate body, or rachis. Skeleton of calcareous spicules

Cnidarians with complex medusoid stages usually with reduced polys