B-7 



The three common species of eunephthids occurring in deep 

 water off the northeast coast all form fleshy arborescent colonies 

 consisting of a polypless stalk and a branched floral-like upper 

 section. The branches are thick, relatively short, and cone- 

 shaped with a very broad base. The species differ in terms of 

 spiculation, and in the density and distribution of the polyps. 

 In Eunephthya glomerata^ the stalk is very short, and the 

 branches, except for near the base, are crowded on all sides 

 with numerous clusters of 3-12 polyps. The polyps are 4.5 mm 

 long when expanded, but only 1-3 mm when contracted. They are 

 not completely retractile and are generally curved upward toward 

 the distal end of the branches. Each polyp, with its constricted 

 base and swollen upper end, gives the appearance of being stalked. 

 The surface of the polyps and coenenchyme is stiff and rough 

 due to the presence of numerous strongly spinulose spicules. The 

 spicules are warted spindles of various sizes. On the outer side 

 of the polyps (particularly along rib-like striations) the spicules 

 are club-shaped with the tubercles becoming enlarged at one end. 

 Unlike the case in E, frutioosa but similar to that for E. floridaf 

 the polyp-spicules are nowhere grouped together into transverse 

 rows extending around the polyp body. In life the colonies are 

 pale pink or red, brown on the stalk and becoming translucent and 

 sometimes yellowish or orange when expanded. Preserved colonies 

 are grey. The species occurs in the northeast Atlantic and in 

 the northwest as far south as New England. It has been found at 

 depths of 52 to 600 fm. 



