80 
THE CORAL TRIANGLE: HEARST BIODIVERSITY EXPEDITION 
Remarks. — Branching of the colonies is mostly lateral. Some colonies may have overlapping 
branches that anastomose to a limited degi'ee, but the colonies are not netlike, and do not form intri¬ 
cate networks. The characteristic sclerite of the calyces is a rooted leaf. Colonies do not harbor 
zooxanthellae and can vary in color from yellow, orange to dull brown, red, or piuple. 
Species. — Several other gorgonian genera may have a similar growth fonn and share a super- 
fieial resemblance to species of Menella. Included here are Bebtyce, Euplexaura, Echinogorgia, 
Echinomuricea, and Paraplexaura. Only by the determination of selerites that are shield-like root¬ 
ed leaves (often shaped like table tennis rackets), can specimens be positively identified as belong¬ 
ing to the genus Menella. Twenty-four species are reeognized and listed (Appeltans et al. 2013). 
Distribution.— Indo-West Paeifie: South Afriea , Red Sea, Madagasear, Mauritius, Bay of 
Bengal, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New 
Caledonia. 
References. — Fabricius and Alderslade (2001:206-207); Fabricius et al. (2007:91); Goslin- 
er, Behrens and Williams (1996:54, as Echinogorgia, Menella); Grasshofif and Bargibant (2001: 
191-194); Williams (1992:210); Williams (1993:51-53, as Echinogorgia). 
Genus Paraplexaura Kiikenthal, 1909 
Paraplexaura sp. 
Figures 25 A, 26-27 
Material Examined.— CASIZ 103947; Philippines, Luzon, Batangas Province, Nasugbu, 
Pinnacle Rock; 7.6 m depth; 01 April 1995; coll. G. C. Williams; CAS 190431; Philippines, Luzon, 
Batangas Province, Maricaban Island, Devil’s Point; 15 m depth; 18 November 2012; coll. G C. 
Williams; CAS 185451; Philippines, Luzon, Batangas Province, Calumpan Peninsula, Murals; 
< 31 m depth; 13 May 2011; coll. G C. Williams. 
Remarks. — Lateral branehes curve upward strongly and often appear mostly parallel to the 
main branches. 
The branehes are often thiek with conspicuously-rounded ends. The polyps are completely 
retraetile and often appear flush with the surfaee of the branches. Many of the characteristic scle- 
rites have a complex stmcture that are intricately and fmely-tubereulated on one end with several 
elongate thorn-like projections on the opposite end. Color of the colonies is usually red or rust- 
orange to tan-brown. 
Species.— Two speeies are currently recognized (Appeltans et al. 2013), but due to uneertain- 
ly regarding the definition of the species as evident in some literature sources, it is uncertain as to 
the actual number of valid species. 
Distribution. — Indo-West Pacific: from the Red Sea to islands of the western Pacific. 
References. — Fabricius and Alderslade (2001:208-209). 
Genus Villogorgia Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1860 
Villogorgia sp. 
Figures 28-29 
Material Examined.— CASIZ 111773, Philippines, Luzon, Batangas Province, Balayan 
Bay, Ligpo Island, 27-29 m depth, 23 Apr 1997, coll. G C. Williams, three whole colonies wet- 
preserved 75% ethanol. 
Remarks. — The colonies are copiously-branched sea fans with numerous, relatively thin, 
elosely adjacent branches. The polyps retract into small mound-like or cylindrical calyces. The 
diagnostie selerites are thomscales with usually two prominent wing-like lateral projections that 
