MELITHAEIDAE Gray, 1870

Alderslade, Philip, 2006, New subfamilies and a new genus and species of Melithaeidae (Coelenterata: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) with comparative data on the structure of both melithaeid and subergorgiid axes, Zootaxa 1199, pp. 19-47 : 21

MELITHAEIDAE Gray, 1870

Amended diagnosis. Fan­like or bushy gorgonians with a jointed axis of alternating flexible nodes and rigid internodes, both incorporating sclerites. Internodes constructed predominantly from sclerites embedded in a crystalline calcitic matrix and possessing a 3­ dimensional lattice­like central core. Nodes whole or partial, containing sclerites held together with gorgonin to form a meshwork whose interstices are filled with mesogloea. Branching occurring predominantly from the nodes. Polyps monomorphic and able to completely retract into the coenenchyme or into prominent calyces. Polyps armed with collaret and points, and tentacles with crescentic “dragon­wing” scales. Coenenchymal sclerites include spindles, leaf clubs, foliate spheroids, double discs, birotulates, and capstans. Axis sclerites include short, straight rods that commonly have a median girdle of simple tubercles, or rods and sticks that are often sinuous and branched and possess simple, sparse, tubercles.

Type genus: Melithaea Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857