Table 1.
Comparison of species in the genus Aphanipathes.
| Growth form | Terminal branchlet length (cm) | Branchlet density per 5 cm | Number of branch orders | Distal branch angle | Polypar/ abpolypar spine heights (mm) | *Tubercle density on polypar spine (per side view) | Polyp in transverse diameter (mm) | Polyp density (per cm) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aphanipathespuertoricoensis | Multi-plane | > 20 | 1–2 | 2–3 | 90 | 0.5/0.3 | 20–40 | 1.1–1.6 | 6–8 |
| Aphanipathesverticillata | Multi-plane | 10 | 4–8 | 10 + | 45–60 | 0.28/0.14 | 20–30 | 1.4 | 6–7 |
| Aphanipathessalix | Fronds | 3 | 1–2 | 3–6 | 30–45 | 0.22/0.13 | 5 | 1.2 | 6 |
| Aphanipathespedata | Fronds | 10 | 5–8 | 8 + | 30–45 | 0.4/0.22 | 30 | 1.2–1.7 | 5–8 |
| Aphanipathessarothamnoides | Fronds | 10 | 1–2 | 3–4 | 30–45 | 0.2/0.1 | 12–15 | 1.3 | 6 |
| Aphanipathesflailum | Fronds | 10 | 1–2 | 6 | 30 | 0.12/0.09 | 8–12 | 1.8–2.0 | 3–4 |
* Including tubercles on the distal and proximal edges of spines.