Deepwater branching coral (Solenosmilia variabilis)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Last updated
Image courtesy of Brooke et al, NOAA-OE, HBOI · via Wikipedia: Solenosmilia variabilis · Public domain
Solenosmilia variabilis is a species of colonial coral in the family Caryophylliidae. It is a deep water, azooxanthellate coral with a semi-cosmopolitan distribution.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumCnidaria
- SubphylumAnthozoa
- ClassHexacorallia
- OrderScleractinia
- FamilyCaryophylliidae
- GenusSolenosmilia
- SpeciesSolenosmilia variabilis
Named by Duncan, 1873
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Solenosmilia variabilis (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 135168 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the deepwater branching coral (solenosmilia variabilis) has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (9,218 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 1 inland record left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Cnidaria · Class: Hexacorallia · Order: Scleractinia · Family: Caryophylliidae · Genus: Solenosmilia.
Accepted name: Solenosmilia variabilis · Authority: Duncan, 1873 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 135168.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Solenosmilia jefferyi Alcock, 1898; Solenosmilia jeffreyi Alcock, 1898.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=135168 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Solenosmilia variabilis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Depth range: 220–2430 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated.
SeaLifeBase notes: Minimum depth from Ref. 106682. Azooxanthellate (Ref. 121684).
On rocky reefs in mesophotic to deep waters (Ref. 121684). Found at depths of 220 (Ref. 106682) to 2430 m (Ref. 119632). Bioherm-forming colonial coral widely distributed on seamounts (Ref. 119633).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 46402) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Solenosmilia-variabilis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
9,218 georeferenced occurrence records for Solenosmilia variabilis are published through GBIF from 54 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 45 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 1 inland record that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Australia (6,022); United States of America (1,270); New Zealand (1,163); Portugal (90); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (75).
The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2259062) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2259062&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=135168 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Solenosmilia variabilis grows into small bushy colonies, the dichotomous branches often joining. It grows from an encrusting base on which there are a few corallites. The branches are thick near the base of the colony but more slender above; sometimes upper branches are just 3 to 5 mm in diameter.
The coenosteum can be smooth and white, granular, glossy and pale grey, or ridged with eight to ten transverse costae. The corallites are up to 5 mm in diameter, with the septa grouped in sixes, arranged in three or more cycles. Growth of the colony is by intratentacular budding.
S. variabilis has a semi-cosmopolitan distribution. It is widespread in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and has a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Ocean. Locations where it has been found include off South Africa, off Prince Edward Island, off Île Saint-Paul, off southeastern Australia, off New Zealand, off South Orkney Islands, off Tristan Island, on the Hjort Seamount (south of Macquarie Island), on the Macquarie Ridge, and on seamounts in the South Pacific and Drake Passage. Its known depth range is 220 to 2165 m.
S. variabilis is a widespread species of deep sea reef-building coral; in the southwestern Pacific it is the dominant coral species on seamounts and rocky substrates in the depth range 1000 to 1300 m. In this location, it is a major part of a diverse community which is easily damaged by deepwater trawling. It is a long-lived species with a growth rate of about 1 mm per year and it may be adversely affected by ocean acidification and climate change.
Source: Wikipedia: Solenosmilia variabilis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenosmilia_variabilis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Related in Deepwater branching coral
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in Deepwater branching coral
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Solenosmilia variabilis (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: SeaLifeBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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