Latissimia Benayahu, Ekins & McFadden, gen. nov.

http://zoobank/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 363FCB88-4355-4D49-A41C-12FAD9F66A0E

Diagnosis. Xeniidae with polyps arising directly from a relatively thick spreading membrane which provides the colony with a fleshy texture. Polyps monomorphic and non-retractile. Sclerites present as ellipsoid platelets, some with a waist-like median narrowing, abundant in all parts of the colony. The sclerites reach up to 0.023 mm in diameter, and reveal a dendritic surface microstructure. The live colonies feature a characteristic blue tint due to the sclerite light-refraction properties, commonly providing a blue appearance to the tissue. Zooxanthellate.

Type species: Latissimia opalia Ekins, Benayahu & McFadden, sp. nov. by original designation.

Etymology. The generic name Latissimia (gender: feminine) is derived from the Latin: latissime, which refers to widespread. Here, it denotes the wide distribution of this genus on various eastern and western Australian reefs, while also being an invasive in the western Atlantic Ocean (Brazil).