Alcyonacea
invertebrate order
Quick Summary
Alcyonacea is an order of soft corals, which are marine invertebrates belonging to the class Anthozoa. These organisms are characterized by polyps whose bases fuse into a fleshy mass, partially supported by calcareous spicules. Soft corals are colonial, with individual polyps typically possessing eight branched tentacles and eight mesenteries. They are commonly found in shallow tropical seas. Alcyonacea is part of the subclass Alcyonaria, also known as octocorals.123
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