Plexaurella

Plexaurella is a genus of gorgonian-type octocorals in the family Plexauridae. Species of the genus are typically characterised by their slit-pores, however, there are some which lack this distinguishing feature (e.g. P. grisea). Sclerite examination is necessary for species identification, which reveals the characteristic 4-rayed 'butterfly' spicules of the cortex and the lack of purple sclerites in the axial sheath.

Species
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species in the genus:


 * Plexaurella crassa (Ellis, 1756)
 * Plexaurella curvata Kunze, 1916
 * Plexaurella dichotoma (Esper, 1791)
 * Plexaurella furcata (Lamarck, 1816)
 * Plexaurella grandiflora Verrill, 1912
 * Plexaurella grisea Kunze, 1916
 * Plexaurella heteropora (Lamarck, 1816)


 * Plexaurella kunzei Kükenthal, 1916>
 * Plexaurella minuta Kunze, 1916
 * Plexaurella nutans (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)
 * Plexaurella regia Barreira e Castro, 1986
 * Plexaurella tenuis Kunze, 1916
 * Plexaurella teres Kunze, 1916
 * Plexaurella vermiculata (Lamarck, 1816)