Litophyton

Lore & Background

The genus Litophyton belongs to the family Nephtheidae. The World Register of Marine Species includes many species within this genus, with names such as Litophyton arboreum, Litophyton fulvum, and Litophyton ramosum, among others. The species were described by various authors including Forskål, Studer, Verseveldt, Kükenthal, and others.

Reader's Guide

Litophyton is a genus of soft corals classified within the family Nephtheidae. The World Register of Marine Species lists 56 species in this genus, described by multiple researchers over time. Notable species include Litophyton arboreum (described by Forskål in 1775) and Litophyton fulvum (also by Forskål). Other species were described by authors such as Verseveldt, Kükenthal, Studer, and Thomson & Dean. The genus includes species with diverse specific epithets reflecting their morphology, such as Litophyton digitatum, Litophyton ramosum, and Litophyton erectum. The species list demonstrates the taxonomic work of many researchers, with some species originally described in other genera before being placed in Litophyton.

Did You Know?

• Litophyton is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae.
• The World Register of Marine Species includes 56 species in the genus Litophyton.
• Litophyton arboreum was described by Forskål in 1775.
• Many Litophyton species were described by Kükenthal and Verseveldt.