Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral in the family Xeniidae. They resemble a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that ends in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. Common names include fast-pulse Xenia. Species of Xenia are sometimes referred to as pulse corals.[2]

Xenia
Xenia umbellata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Octocorallia
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Xeniidae
Genus: Xenia
Lamarck, 1816[1]
Species

Many; see text

Species

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The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b van Ofwegen, L. (2015). "Xenia Lamarck, 1816". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  2. ^ "ReefCorner Inc. Fast Pulse Xenia: Xenia elongata". Retrieved 2015-02-09.