The gorgonian twig coral (''Homphyton verrucosum'') is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of gorgonian sea fan in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Anthothelidae Anthothelidae is a family (biology), family of corals, a member of the phylum Cnidaria. Genera Genera in this family include: * ''Alertigorgia'' Kükenthal, 1908 * ''Anthothela'' Verrill, 1879 * ''Briareopsis'' Bayer, 1993 * ''Erythropodium'' K� ...

Description

This coral grows as finger-like branches which may be single or relatively unbranched. The polyps are numerous and cover the entire colony except for the basal region. It is variably coloured in red, yellow or orange.Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. ''Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa'' Jones, Georgina. ''A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula.'' SURG, Cape Town, 2008.

Distribution

This sea fan is found only around the South African coast from False Bay to Sodwana in 20–40 m of water. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to this region.

Ecology

This coral is often found covered with an unidentified encrusting

sponge Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer'), are a basal animal clade as a sister of the diploblasts. They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through t ...

References

Spongiodermidae {{octocorallia-stub