Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Classis: Anthozoa
Subclassis: Alcyonaria
Ordo: Alcyonacea
Subordo: Alcyoniina
Familia: Nephtheidae
Genus: Capnella
Species: C. imbricata
Vernacular names
Deutsch: Keniabäumchen
Capnella is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae. They are also commonly known as Kenya tree corals.[2]: 214
Species
Capnella arbuscula Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella australiensis (Thorpe, 1928)
Capnella bouilloni Verseveldt, 1976
Capnella erecta Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella fructosa
Capnella fungiformis Kükenthal, 1903
Capnella gaboensis Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella garetti Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella imbricata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)
Capnella johnstonei Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella lacertiliensis Macfadyen
Capnella parva Light, 1913
Capnella portlandensis Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella ramosa Light, 1913
Capnella sabangensis Roxas, 1933
Capnella shepherdi Verseveldt, 1977
Capnella spicata (May)
Capnella susanae Williams, 1988
Capnella thyrsoidea (Verrill, 1989)
Capnella watsonae Verseveldt, 1977
Description
Capnella are arborescent, some species are lobed. Generally they are grey with brown polyps. Colour intensity is dependent on light intensity, the higher the intensity of light, the lighter colour of the coral. They form thick trunks with branches that closely resemble trees. In stronger currents they form flatter colonies with shorter branches.[2]: 214
Distribution and habitats
Kenya Tree corals are widespread throughout the Indo-pacific region, from the African coast to the Western Pacific. They are found on coral reef slopes in clear water from deep to the shallows with strong tidal currents. Sometimes found in shadier places and on coral rubble in shallow water close to the shore.[2]: 217
Biology
They have symbiotic algae from which they obtain most of their nutrients.
Asexual reproduction has been observed. They form distinctive swellings at bottom of a branch which then drops off by fission at the swelling. The branch then secures to a new hold and forms a new colony. They can stick very quickly and will be firmly rooted within a day. Colonies can bend and reattach to the rock or by “creeping” and division at the base.[2]: 217
References
http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=146763 accessed 18 July 2013
Delbeek, J. Charles (1994). The reef aquarium : a comprehensive guide to the identification and care of tropical marine invertebrates. Sprung, Julian, 1966- (1st ed.). Coconut Grove, Fla.: Ricordea Pub. ISBN 978-1883693138. OCLC 32276839.
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