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Sub-Class I. Alcyonaria.
This sub-class includes a large number of genera living in shallow
sea-water and a few genera that extend down into deep water. With
a few doubtful exceptions (Protoalcyonacea) they all form colonies
composed of a large number of zooids. These zooids may be
connected together by basal plates or a network of basal strands
(stolons), or by stolons with additional connecting bars (Clavularia
viridis, Syringopora) or by plates (Tubipora). In the majority of the
genera the individual zooids are for the greater part of their length,
from the base upwards, united together to form a continuous spongy,
colonial mass, which determines the shape of the colony as a whole.
In all the Alcyonaria the nematocysts are very minute, and although
they can undoubtedly paralyse minute organisms they are unable to
penetrate the human skin. None of the Alcyonaria have been
described as stinging-corals except the Pennatulid Virgularia
rumphii.
Attention has already been drawn to the fact (p. 330) that two
regions of the zooids of the colonial Alcyonaria can be recognised.
At the oral end there is a region, which in the fully expanded
condition consists of a crown of eight tentacles surrounding the
mouth, and a body-wall free from its immediate neighbours. This
region is called the "anthocodia." The anthocodia is continuous with
a region which forms a part of the common colonial mass. Some
genera seem to have very little power of contracting the tentacles or
of withdrawing the anthocodiae. The zooids of Stereosoma, of Xenia,
of Umbellula, and of a few other genera may be described as non-
retractile. In many cases, however, the tentacles can be considerably
contracted, bent over the mouth, and withdrawn into the shelter of
the subjacent body-wall. In such a condition the surface of the colony
exhibits a number of tubular, conical, or convex protuberances,
called "verrucae," and the colony is said to be partially retractile. In
many genera, however, the whole of the anthocodiae can be
withdrawn below the general surface of the coenenchym, so that the
position of the zooids in the colony is indicated only by star-like
holes, or simple key-hole slits in the superficial coenenchym. Such
colonies are said to be completely retractile (Fig. 147).
The skeleton of the genus Heliopora differs from that of all the other
Alcyonaria in its development, structure, and form. In the words of
Dr. G. C. Bourne,[365] "the calcareous skeleton of Heliopora is not
formed from spicules developed within cells but is a crystalline
structure formed by crystallisation of carbonate of lime, probably in
the form of aragonite, in an organic matrix produced by the
disintegration of cells which I have described as calicoblasts." It is
further characterised by its blue colour. A peculiar form of the axial
skeleton (Fig. 155), consisting of alternate nodes mainly composed
of keratin, and internodes mainly composed of calcium carbonate, is
seen in the families Isidae and Melitodidae. In the Melitodidae the
nodes contain a considerable number of loose spicules, and the
internodes are mainly composed of spicules in close contact but
firmly cemented together by a sparse horny matrix. In the Isidae the
scanty calcareous substance of the nodes, and the bulk of the
substance of the internodes, is formed of amorphous crystalline
limestone.
It is not known for certain when the fertilisation of the ova is effected,
but in Alcyonium digitatum, and in the majority of the Alcyonarians, it
probably takes place after the discharge of the ova from the zooids.
A few forms are, however, certainly viviparous, the larvae of
Gorgonia capensis being retained within the coelenteric cavity of the
parent zooid until they have grown to a considerable size. The other
viviparous Alcyonarians are Corallium nobile (de Lacaze Duthiers),
the "Clavulaires petricoles," and Sympodium coralloides (Marion and
Kowalevsky), and three species of Nephthya found at depths of 269
to 761 fathoms (Koren and Danielssen). The general features of the
development are very similar in all Alcyonarians that have been
investigated. The egg contains a considerable amount of yolk, and
undergoes a modified form of segmentation. The free-swimming
larva is called a "sterrula." It consists of an outer layer of clear
ciliated ectoderm cells, surrounding a solid endodermic plasmodium
containing the yolk. As the yolk is consumed a cavity appears in the
endoderm, and the larva is then called a "planula" (Fig. 150). The
mouth is subsequently formed by an invagination of the ectoderm at
the anterior pole. The development of the mesenteries has not yet
been fully described.
Grade A. Protoalcyonacea.
This Grade includes those genera which, like many sea-anemones,
do not reproduce by continuous gemmation to form colonies.
Several genera have been described, and they have been placed
together in one family called the Haimeidae.
Grade B. Synalcyonacea.
The sub-division of the Synalcyonacea into orders presents many
difficulties, and several different classifications have been proposed.
Only two orders of the five that are here recognised are clearly
defined, namely, the Coenothecalia, containing the single living
genus Heliopora, and the Pennatulacea or Sea-pens; the others are
connected by so many genera of intermediate characters that the
determination of their limits is a matter of no little difficulty.
Order I. Stolonifera.
These are colonial Alcyonaria springing from a membranous or
ribbon-like stolon fixed to a stone or some other foreign object. The
body-walls of the individual zooids may be free or connected by a
series of horizontal bars or platforms (autothecalous); never
continuously fused as they are in other orders (coenothecalous).