Litophyton, Forskal, 1775

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4764.1.1
publication LSID	urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53C5289A-156C-4AF1-B84A-73099A332C05
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3803598
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03BCB717-2368-FF99-FF35-812FFA5DF845
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Litophyton
status

Key to the species of Litophyton View in CoL group V (11 species)

(polyp stalk with small rods)

1. Many crowded rods present in long polyp stalk........................................................ L. brachiatum View in CoL

-. Fewer rods present in short polyp stalk......................................................................... 2

2. Polyp stalk with rods and ovals.............................................................................. 3

-. No ovals in polyp stalk..................................................................................... 4

3. Interior stalk sclerites include spindles with blunt ends................................................. L. burfordensis View in CoL

-. Interior spindles only with pointed ends.................................................................. L. mollis View in CoL

4. Interior stalk spindles include branched forms................................................................... 5

-. Interior stalk sclerites not branched............................................................................ 9

5. Interior stalk spindles small, less than 1 mm long, and slender................................................ L. folium View in CoL

-. Interior stalk sclerites longer than 1 mm ........................................................................ 6

6. Interior stalk spindles with large rough tubercles....................................................... L. darleyensis View in CoL

-. Interior stalk spindles with small tubercles...................................................................... 7

7. Interior stalk spindles wide, smaller ones heavily branched............................................ L. sanctuaryensis View in CoL

-. All interior stalk spindles branched............................................................................ 8

8. Surface stalk sclerites mostly spindles................................................................... L. fusum View in CoL

-. Surface stalk also with many derivatives of capstans................................................. L. horseshoeensis View in CoL

9. Internal stalk spindles with blunt ends................................................................. L. crassum View in CoL

-. Internal stalk spindles with pointed ends....................................................................... 10