B-9 



Eunephthya fruticosa (Sars) 



Aloyonium fvuticosum, Sars, 1860:140 

 Gersemia longiflova, Verrill, 1883:44 

 Gersemia frutiaosa^ Verrill, 1922:23 

 Gersemia mirabilis , Verrill, 1922:26 

 Gersema studeri, Verrill, 1922:48 

 Eunephthya fvutioosa, Deichmann, 1936:64 



In general appearance colonies of E. fruticosa are intermediate 

 between those of E. glomerata and E. florida. The polyps are not as 

 densely distributed on the stalk and branches as in E. glomerata, 

 nor are they largely confined to the tips of the branches as in 

 E. florida. They occur singly or in loose clusters of up to 

 5 individuals. They are retractile but are often seen in a par- 

 tially or fully expanded condition. Expanded polyps can be 

 8 mm long {longi flora variety) but most are only 3 mm long. Each 

 polyp has a well-defined calyx which has a lobed margin. Spicules 

 occur throughout the colony as war ted (tuberculated) rods and 

 spindles, but there are no club-shaped spicules as in E. glomerata. 

 In the distal or anthocodial part of the polyps the spicules are 

 arranged in eight vertical double rows (chevron pattern) , and 

 there are also five to ten transverse rows formed into a collaret 

 on the basal or middle portion of the polyps. The anthocodial 

 spicules are up to 0.35 mm long while those on the stalk are 

 usually less than helf as long. In life the colonies are a 

 translucent blue, but they turn greyish-brown or black when 

 preserved. The species occurs on both sides of the north Atlantic. 

 In the west it extends south to off the coast of Delaware. 

 In polar regions it is found in shallow water, but off the 

 U.S. coast it is usually deeper than 1000 fm. 



