(*California Academy of Sciences; **Smithsonian Institution)
2001-2019 (last revised 4 February 2019)
Systems of Higher Taxa (after: Bayer (1981) for Helioporacea and Alcyonacea;
Kükenthal (1915) and Williams (1995) for Pennatulacea
World Register of Marine Species (Octocorals): http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1341
HELIOPORACEA (blue corals); ALCYONACEA (soft corals & gorgonians); PENNATULACEA (sea pens)
55 families; 378 genera; > 3500 described species
ORDER HELIOPORACEA Bock, 1938 (=COENOTHECALIA Bourne, 1893) (2 families, 2 genera); characterized by a rigid aragonitic skeleton.
Lithotelestidae Bayer & Muzik, 1977 [2 genera]
Epiphaxum Lonsdale, 1850 (=Lithotelesto Bayer & Muzik, 1977) [see Bayer & Muzik, 1977 Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash 90(4): 975-984 and Bayer, 1979 Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 92(4): 873-875; S. of Madagascar and Lesser Antilles. Epiphaxum possibly belongs to Porifera?; see Zool. Rec. 1980]
Nanipora Miyazaki and Reimer, 2015 (One species: Nanipora kamurai, shallow-water Okinawa)
Helioporidae Moseley, 1876 [1 monotypic genus]
Heliopora Blainville, 1830 [one species, the blue coral, Heliopora coerulea, shallow-water Indo-Pacific]
ORDER ALCYONACEA (29 families, approximately 274 genera); skeletal components composed of calcite and gorgonin.
Polyps as individuals, which may or may not be united by basal stolons
[Protoalcyonaria Hickson, 1894]
Taiaroidae Bayer & Muzik, 1976 [1 monotypic genus]
Taiaroa Bayer & Muzik, 1976 [one species T. tauhou, deep water New Zealand]
Haimeidae Wright, 1865 [2 genera]
Haimeia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857
Hartea Wright, 1865
[Stolonifera Hickson, 1883]
Cornulariidae Dana, 1846 [2 genera]
Cornularia Lamarck, 1816
Acrossotidae Bourne, 1914
..............Acrossota Bourne, 1914
Clavulariidae Hickson, 1894 [24 genera]
Clavulariinae Hickson, 1894 [polyps tall and cylindrical to clavate; without secondary polyps budding laterally]
Altumia Benayahu, McFadden, and Shoham (2017)
Bathytelesto Bayer, 1981
Cervera López-González, Ocaña, García-Gómez & Núñez, 1995
Clavularia [=Cornulariella Verrill, 1874; Hicksonia Delage & Hérouard,1901]
Inconstantia McFadden & Ofwegen, 2012
Incrustatus Ofwegen, Haussermann & Forsterra, 2006
Moolabalia Alderslade, 2001
Knopia Alderslade and McFadden, 2007
Rhodelinda Bayer, 1981
Rolandia Lacaze-Duthiers, 1900
Scyphopodium Bayer, 1981
Stereosoma Hickson, 1894
Stereotelesto Bayer, 1981
Sarcodictyiinae Bayer, 1981 [polyps short, retracting almost flush with stolons, or producung low, cylindrical to conical calices]
Azoriella López-González & Gili, 2008
Cryptophyton Williams, 2000
Cyathopodium Verrill, 1868
Sarcodictyon Forbes, 1847 [=Evagorgia Philippi, 1842; Rolandia Lacase-Duthiers, 1900]
Scleranthelia Studer, 1879
Tesseranthelia Bayer, 1981
Trachythela Verrill, 1922
Telestinae Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 [polyps tall and cylindrical, usually with secondary polyps budding laterally; branching monopodial]
Carijoa Müller, 1867
Paratelesto Utinomi, 1958
Telesto Lamouroux, 1812
Telestula Madsen, 1944
Pseudocladochoninae Madsen, 1944 [polyps tall and cylindrical, usually with secondary polyps budding laterally; branching sympodial]
Pseudocladochonus Versluys, 1907
Tubiporidae Ehrenberg, 1828 [1 monotypic genus]
Tubipora Linnaeus, 1758
Coelogorgiidae Bourne, 1900 [1 monotypic genus]
Coelogorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857
Pseudogorgiidae Utinomi & Harada, 1973 [1 monotypic genus]
Pseudogorgia Kölliker, [1870] 1871
Polyps contained in massive bodies to form a coherent colony
[Alcyoniina Lamouroux, 1816]
Paralcyoniidae Gray, 1869 [=Fasciculariidae Studer, 1888;
Maasellidae Poche, 1914]
(5 or 6 genera)]
Carotalycon Utinomi, 1952
Ceeceenus Ofwegen & Benayahu, 2006
Dimorphophyton Williams, 2000
Maasella Poche, 1914 [=Fascicularia Studer, 1888; Viguieriotes Bayer, 1954]
Nanalcyon Imahara, 2013
Paralcyonium Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850
Studeriotes Thomson & Simpson, 1909 [=Studeria Thomson, 1908] [? family Viguieriotidae Bayer, 1954; according to Appeltans, W., et al. 2013 in WoRMS ]
Alcyoniidae Lamouroux, 1812 [37 genera]
Alcyoniinae Lamouroux, 1812
Alcyonium Linnaeus, 1758 [=Parerythropodium Kükenthal, 1916]
Aldersladum Benayahu & McFadden, 2011
Bellonella Gray, 1862 [=Metalcyonium Pfeffer, 1888; Cereopsida Strand, 1926]
Ceratocaulon Jungersen, 1892
Cladiella Gray, 1869 [=Lobularia Lamarck, 1816; Microspicularia Macfadyen, 1936; Sphaerella Gray, 1869]
Complexum Ofwegen, Aurelle & Sartoretto, 2014
Dampia Alderslade, 1983
Discophyton McFadden & Hochberg, 2003
Elbeenus Alderslade, 2002
Eleutherobia Pütter, 1900
Hedera Conti-Jerpe & Freshwater, 2017 [one species: H. caerulescens Conti-Jerpe & Freshwater, 2017]
Inflatocalyx Verseveldt & Bayer, 1988
Klyxum Alderslade, 2000 [=Lithophytum Kukenthal, 1903]
Lanthanocephalus Williams & Starmer, 2000
Lobophytum Marenzeller, 1886
Lohowia Alderslade, 2003
Malacacanthus J.S. Thomson, 1910
Minabea Utinomi, 1957
Notodysiferus Alderslade, 2003
Paraminabea Williams & Alderslade, 1999
Protodendron Thomson & Dean, 1931
Pseudoalcyonium Tixier-Durivault & d'Hondt, 1974
Pseudoanthomastus Tixier-Durivault & d'Hondt, 1974
Rhizalcyon Bayer, 1995
Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000
Sarcophyton Lesson, 1834 [=Sarcophythum Agassiz, 1844]
Schizophyton Studer, 1890
Sinularia May, 1898
Skamnarium Alderslade, 2000
Sphaeralcyon López-González & Gili, 2000
Sphaerasclera McFadden & Ofwegen, 2013
Thrombophyton McFadden & Hochberg, 2003
Verseveldtia Williams, 1990
Anthomastinae Verrill, 1922
Anthomastus Verrill, 1878
Heteropolypus Tixier-Durivault, 1964
Bathyalcyon Versluys, 1906
Pseudoanthomastus Tixier-Durivault & d'Hondt, 1974
Acrophytidae McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017 [3 genera]
Acrophytum Hickson, 1900
Lampophyton Williams, 2000
Pieterfaurea Verseveldt & Bayer, 1988
Corymbophytidae McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017 [1 genus]
Corymbophyton McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017
Leptophytidae McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017 [4 genera]
Circularius McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017
Leptophyton Ofwegen & Schleyer, 1997
Porphyrophyton McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017
Tenerodus McFadden & Ofwegen, 2017
Parasphaerascleridae McFadden & Ofwegen, 2013 [1 genus]
Parasphaerasclera McFadden & Ofwegen, 2013
Aquaumbridae Breedy, Ofwegen & Vargas, 2012 [1 genus]
Aquaumbra Breedy, Ofwegen & Vargas, 2012
Nephtheidae Gray, 1862 [19 genera]
Capnella Gray, 1869 [=Eunephthya Verrill, 1869; Paranephthya Studer, 1887]Chondronephthya Utinomi,1960
Chromonephthea Ofwegen, 2005Coronephthya Utinomi, 1966
Daniela Koch, 1891 [=Kochella Utinomi, 1958]
Dendronephthya Kükenthal, 1905 [=Roxasia Tixier-Durivault & Prevorsek, 1957; Morchellana
Gray, 1862; Spongodes Lesson, 1833] Drifa Danielssen, 1887 [=Pseudonephthya Holm, 1895]
Duva Koren & Danielssen, 1883
Eunephthya Verrill, 1869
Gersemia Marenzeller, 1878 [=Voeringia Danielssen, 1887; Fulla Danielssen, 1887; Nannodendron Danielssen, 1887; Barrathrobius Danielssen, 1887; Sarakka Danielssen,1887; Krystallophanes Danielssen, 1887; Organidus Danielssen, 1887]
Lemnalia Gray, 1868 [=Lemnalioides Light, 1914]
Litophyton Forskal, 1775 [=Ammothea Lamarck, 1816; Nephthea Audouin, 1828]
Neospongodes Kükenthal, 1903 [=Spongodia Agassiz, 1846],
Paralemnalia Kükenthal, 1913
Pacifiphyton Williams, 1997
Pseudodrifa Utinomi, 1961
Scleronephthya Studer, 1887 [=Paraspongodes Kükenthal, 1896]
Stereacantha Thomson & Henderson, 1906
Stereonephthya Kükenthal, 1905
Umbellulifera Thomson & Dean, 1931
Nidaliidae Gray, 1869 (8 genera)
Nidaliinae
Agaricoides Simpson, 1905
Nidalia Gray, 1835 [=Cactogorgia Simpson, 1907]
Nidaliopsis Kükenthal, 1906 [=Itephitrus Koch, 1886]
Orlikia Malyutin, 1993
Siphonogorgiinae
Chironephthya Studer, 1887
Nephthyigorgia Kükenthal, 1910
Siphonogorgia Kölliker, 1874
Xeniidae Ehrenberg, 1828 (15 genera)
Anthelia Lamarck, 1816
Asterospicularia Utinomi, 1951
Bayerxenia Alderslade, 2001
Cespitularia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 [=Suensonia Brundin, 1896]
Efflatounaria Gohar, 1939
Fasciclia Janes, 2008
Funginus Tixier-Durivault, 1987 [=Fungulus Tixier-Durivault, 1970]
Heteroxenia Kölliker, 1874
Ingotia Alderslade, 2001
Ixion Alderslade, 2001
Orangaslia Alderslade, 2001
Ovabunda Alderslade, 2001
Sansibia Alderslade, 2000
Sympodium Ehrenberg, 1834
Xenia Lamarck, 1816
[Scleraxonia] (with free axial spicules)
without consolidated axis (with a medulla and cortex)
Briareidae Gray, 1859 (2 genera)
Briareum Blainville, 1830 [=Solenopodium Kükenthal, 1916; Pachyclavularia Roule, 1908]
Lignopsis Perez & Zamponi, 2000
Anthothelidae Broch, 1916 (11 genera)
Anthothelinae Broch, 1916
Alertigorgia Kükenthal, 1908 [=Machaeriogorgia Kükenthal, 1919]
Anthothela Verrill,1879 [=Gymnosarea Kent, 1870; ?Stereogorgia Kükenthal, 1916]
Briareopsis Bayer, 1993
Erythropodium Kölliker, 1865
Lateothela Moore, Alderslade & Miller, 2017
Tubigorgia Pasternak, 1985
Victorgorgia López-González & Briand, 2002
Williamsium Moore, Alderslade & Miller, 2017
Semperininae Aurivillius, 1931
Iciligorgia Duchassaing, 1870
Semperina Kölliker, 1870 [=Suberia Studer, 1879; Suberiopsis Broch, 1916]
Solenocaulon Gray, 1862 [=Solenogorgia Genth, 1867]
Spongiodermidae Wright & Studer, 1889 [6 genera]
Callipodium Verrill, 1869 [=Anthopodium Verrill, 1872]
Diodogorgia Kükenthal, 1919
Homophyton Gray, 1866 [=Spongioderma Kölliker, 1870]
Sclerophyton Cairns & Wirshing, 2015
Titanideum Verrill,1864
Tripalea Bayer, 1955
Subergorgiidae Gray, 1859 (3 genera)
Annella Gray, 1858
Rosgorgia López-González & Gili, 2001
Subergorgia Gray, 1857
Paragorgiidae Kükenthal, 1916 (2 genera)
Paragorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857
Sibogagorgia Stiasny, 1937
with consolidated axis
Coralliidae Lamouroux, 1812 (3 genera)
Corallium Cuvier, 1798
Hemicorallium Gray, 1867
Pleurocorallium Gray, 1867
Melithaeidae Gray, 1870 (2 genera) [branches from flexible proteinaceous nodes]
Melithaeinae Alderslade, 2006 [axial sclerites mostly straight rods with median girdle of simple tubercles]
Melithaea Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 [= Acabaria Gray, 1859; Birotulata Nutting, 1911; Clathraria Gray, 1859; Melitella Gray, 1859;
Melitodes Verrill, 1864; Mopsella Gray, 1857; Wrightella Gray, 1870 ]
Asperaxinae Alderslade, 2006 [axial sclerites mostly rods that are sinuous and branched]
Asperaxis Alderslade, 2006
Parisididae Aurivillius, 1931 (1 genus) [branches from calcareous internodes]
Parisis Verrill, 1864 [=Trinella Gray, 1870]
[Holaxonia] (continuous solid axial structure without free axial spicules, with hollow cross-chambered central core [chambered axial medulla])
Keroeididae Kinoshita, 1910 (5 genera)
Ideogorgia Bayer, 1981 [= nom. nov. for Dendrogorgia Simpson, 1910; not Duchaissang, 1870]
Keroeides Studer, 1887
Lignella Gray, 1870
Pseudothelogorgia Ofwegen, 1994
Thelogorgia Bayer 1992
Acanthogorgiidae Gray, 1859 (6 genera)
Acanthogorgia Gray, 1857 [=Acalycigorgia Kükenthal, 1908; Boarella Gray, 1870;
Paracanthogorgia Stiasny, 1947] Anthogorgia Verrill, 1868
Calcigorgia Broch, 1935
Calicogorgia Thomson & Henderson, 1906
Cyclomuricea Nutting, 1908
Muricella Verrill, 1869
Acanthoaxiidae Ofwegen & McFadden, 2010 [1 genus]
Acanthoaxis Ofwegen & McFadden, 2010
Plexauridae Gray, 1859 (includes Muriceidae, Paramuriceidae, Plexaurinae, Stenogorgiinae) (43 genera)
Acanthacis Deichmann, 1936
Alaskagorgia Sanchez & Cairns, 2004
Anthomuricea Studer, 1887
Anthoplexaura Kükenthal, 1908]
Astrogorgia Verrill, 1868 [=Acanthomuricea Hentschel, 1902]
Astromuricea Germanos, 1895
Bayergorgia Williams and López-González, 2005
Bebryce Philippi, 1841 [Pseudobebryce Kükenthal, 1919; Nicaule Bayer, 1981]
Caliacis Deichmann, 1936
Calicogorgia Thomson & Henderson, 1906 (Acanthogorgiidae?)
Chromoplexaura Williams, 2013
Cryogorgia Williams, 2005
Dentomuricea Grasshoff, 1977
Discogorgia Kükenthal, 1919
Echinogorgia Kolliker, 1865 [=Bovella Gray, 1860]
Echinomuricea Verrill, 1869
Elasmogorgia Wright & Studer, 1889
Eunicea Lamouroux, 1816
Euplexaura Verrill, 1865
Heterogorgia Verrill, 1868
Hypnogorgia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
Lepidomuricea Kükenthal, 1919
Lytreia Bayer, 1981
Menacella Gray, 1870
Menella Gray, 1870 [=Plexauroides Wright & Studer, 1889]
Mesogligorgia López-González, 2005
Muricea Lamouroux, 1821
Muriceides Studer, 1887 [=Clematissa Wright & Studer, 1887; Trachymuricea Deichmann, 1936],
Muriceopsis Aurivillius, 1931
Paracis Kükenthal, 1919 [=Discomuricea Gordon, 1926]
Paramuricea Kölliker, 1865
Paraplexaura [=Lapidogorgia Grasshoff, 1999]
Placogorgia Kükenthal, 1919 [=Pseudothesea Kükenthal, 1919]
Plexaura Lamouroux, 1812
Plexaurella Valenciennes, 1855
Psammogorgia Verrill, 1868
Pseudoplexaura Wright & Studer, 1889
Scleracis Kükenthal, 1919
Spinimuricea Grasshoff, 1992
Swiftia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 [=Allogorgia Verrill, 1928; Callistephanus Wright
& Studer, 1889; Platycaulos Wright & Studer, 1889; Stenogorgia Verrill, 1883] Thesea Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 [= Evacis Verrill, 1913; Filigella Gray, 1868]
Trimuricea Gordon, 1926
Villogorgia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 [=Acamptogorgia Wright & Studer, 1889;
Brandella Gray, 1870; Perisceles Wright & Studer, 1887]
Gorgoniidae Lamouroux, 1812 (17 genera)
Adelogorgia Bayer, 1958
Antillogorgia Bayer, 1951
Eugorgia Verrill, 1868
Eunicella Verrill, 1869[=Platygorgia Studer, 1887]
Filigorgia Stiasny, 1937
Gorgonia Linnaeus, 1758 [=Rhipidogorgia Valenciennes, 1855]
Guaiagorgia Grasshoff & Alderslade, 1997
Hicksonella Nutting, 1910 [=Rhabdoplexaura Kükenthal, 1915]
Leptogorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 [=Filigorgia Stiasny, 1937; Lophogorgia
Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857] Olindagorgia Bayer, 1981
Pacifigorgia Bayer, 1951
Phycogorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850
Phyllogorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850 [=Hymenogorgia Valenciennes, 1855]
Pinnigorgia Grasshoff & Alderslade, 1997
Pseudopterogorgia Kükenthal, 1919
Pterogorgia Ehrenberg, 1834 [=Xiphigorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857]
Rumphella Bayer, 1955
[Calcaxonia] (continuous solid axial structure without free axial spicules, without cross-chambered hollow core [total lack of chambered axial medulla])
Ellisellidae Gray, 1859 (10 genera)
Ctenocella Valenciennes, 1855
Dichotella Gray, 1870
Ellisella Gray, 1858 [=Scirpearia Ehrenberg, 1834]
Heliania Gray, 1860
Junceella Valenciennes, 1855
Nicella Gray, 1870
Phenilia Gray, 1860
Riisea Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 [=Herophile Steenstrup, 1861]
Verrucella Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 [=Umbracella Gray, 1858; Raynerella Gray, 1869;
Reticella, Gray, 1870] Viminella Gray, 1870 [=Toeplitzella Deichmann, 1936]
Ifalukellidae Bayer, 1955 (2 genera)
Ifalukella Bayer, 1955
Plumigorgia Nutting, 1910
Chrysogorgiidae Verrill, 1883 (12 genera)
Chalcogorgia Bayer, 1949
Chrysogorgia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 [=Dasygorgia Verrill, 1883]
Distichogorgia Bayer, 1979
Flagelligorgia Cairns & Cordeiro, 2017
Helicogorgia Bayer, 1981 [=Simpsonella Stiasny, 1940; Hicksonella Simpson,1910 not Nutting, 1910]
Iridogorgia Verrill, 1883
Isidoides Nutting, 1910
Metallogorgia Versluys, 1902
Pleurogorgia Versluys, 1902
Pseudochrysogorgia Pante & France, 2010
Radicipes Stearns, 1883 [Lepidogorgia Verrill, 1884; Strophogorgia Wright & Studer, 1885]
Rhodaniridogorgia Watling, 2007
Stephanogorgia Bayer & Muzik, 1976
Trichogorgia Hickson, 1904 [=Malacogorgia Hickson, 1904]
Xenogorgia Bayer & Muzik, 1976
Primnoidae Gray, 1857 (279 species; 43 genera, including 5 subgenera)
Abyssoprimnoa Cairns, 2015
Acanthoprimnoa Cairns & Bayer, 2004
Aglaoprimnoa Bayer, 1996
Ainigmaptilon Dean, 1926 [=Lycurus Molander, 1929]
Armadillogorgia Bayer, 1980
Arntzia López-González, Gili and Orejas, 2002
Arthrogorgia Kükenthal in Kükenthal & Gorzawsky, 1908
Australogorgia Cairns & Bayer, 2009
Callogorgia Gray, 1858 [= Xiphocella Gray, 1870; Callicella Gray, 1870; Caligorgia sensu Wright & Studer, 1889 - spelling variation]
Callozostron Wright, 1885
Calyptrophora Gray, 1866
Canarya Ocana & Ofwegen, 2003
Candidella Bayer, 1954 [nomen novum for Stenella Gray, 1870, not Gray, 1866]
Convexella Bayer, 1996
Dasystenella Versluys, 1906
Dicholaphis Kinoshita, 1907
Fanellia Gray, 1870
Fannyella Gray, 1872 [= Ascolepis Thomson & Rennet, 1931]
Helicoprimnoa Cairns, 2012
Heptaprimnoa Cairns, 2012
Loboprimnoa Cairns, 2016
Macroprimnoa Cairns, 2018
Metafannyella Cairns & Bayer, 2009
Metanarella Cairns, 2012
Microprimnoa Bayer & Stefani, 1989
Mirostenella Bayer, 1988
Narella Gray, 1870 [= Stachyodes Wright & Studer in Studer, 1887; not Stachyodes Bargatzky, 1881 (a stromatoporoid); Calypterinus Wright & Studer in Studer, 1887]
Narelloides Cairns, 2012
Onogorgia Cairns & Bayer, 2009
Ophidiogorgia Bayer, 1980
Pachyprimnoa Cairns, 2016
Paracalyptrophora Kinoshita, 1908
Paranarella Cairns, 2007
Parastenella Versluys, 1906
Perissogorgia Bayer & Stefani, 1989
Plumarella Gray, 1870
Primnoa Lamouroux, 1812
Primnocapsa Zapata-Guardiola & Lopez-Gonzalez, 2012
Primnoeides Studer and Wright in Studer, 1887
Primnoella Gray, 1858 [= Callirrhabdos Philippi, 1894]
Pseudoplumarella Kükenthal, 1915
Pseudoprimnoa Cairns, 2018
Pterostenella Versluys, 1906
Pyrogorgia Cairns & Bayer, 2009
Scopaegorgia Zapata-Guardiola & Lopez-Gonzalez, 2010
Tauroprimnoa Zapata-Guardiola & Lopez-Gonzalez, 2010
Thouarella Gray, 1870 [= Rhopalonella Roule, 1908; Primnodendron Nutting, 1912; Parathouarella Kükenthal, 1915; Diplocalyptra Kinoshita, 1908; Amphilaphis Studer & Wright, 1887]
Tokoprimnoa Bayer, 1996
Isididae Lamouroux, 1812 (38 genera)
Isidinae Lamouroux, 1812 [polyps with 6 or 8-radiates, clubs & tuberculate spindles, or almost sclerite-free]
Chelidonisis Studer, 1890
Isis Linnaeus, 1758
Muricellisis Kükenthal, 1915
Keratoisidinae Gray, 1870 [polyps armed with longitudinally arranged rods or spindles often ornamented with prickles]
Acanella Gray, 1870
Australisis Bayer & Stefani, 1987
Bathygorgia Wright, 1885
Caribisis Bayer & Stefani, 1987
Eknomisis Watling & France, 2011
Isidella Gray, 1857
Jasonisis Alderslade & McFadden, 2012
Keratoisis Wright, 1869
Lepidisis Verrill, 1883
Orstomisis Bayer, 1990
Sclerisis Studer, 1879
Mopseinae Gray, 1870 [polyps with transversely arranged smooth, tuberculate, or thorny scales with a dentate or thorny distal margin]
Acanthoisis Studer & Wright, 1887
Chathamisis Grant, 1976
Echinisis Thomson & Rennet, 1931
Iotisis Alderslade, 1998
Jasminisis Alderslade, 1998
Ktenosquamisis Alderslade, 1998
Lissopholidisis Alderslade, 1998
Minuisis Grant, 1976
Mopsea Lamouroux, 1816
Myriozotisis Alderslade, 1998
Notisis Gravier, 1913
Oparinisis Alderslade, 1998
Paracanthoisis Alderslade, 1998
Peltastisis Nutting, 1910
Primnoisis Studer, 1887
Pteronisis Alderslade, 1998
Sphaerokodisis Alderslade, 1998
Stenisis Bayer & Stefani, 1987
Tenuisis Bayer & Stefani, 1987
Tethrisis Alderslade, 1998
Circinisidinae Grant, 1976 [polyps with transversely arranged smooth oval scales with distal margin entire to undulate]
Annisis Alderslade, 1998
Circinisis Grant, 1976
Florectisis Alderslade, 1998
Gorgonisis Alderslade, 1998
Pangolinisis Alderslade, 1998
Plexipomisis Alderslade, 1998
Zignisis Alderslade, 1998
Incertae sedis:
Dendrobrachiidae Brook, 1889 (1 genus)
Dendrobrachia Brook, 1889 [axis with spiny longitudinal ridges - formerly aligned with Antipatharia]
Recently described families:
Acanthoaxiidae Ofwegen & McFadden, 2010 (1 genus)
Acanthoaxis Ofwegen & McFadden, 2010
Arulidae McFadden & Ofwegen, 2012 (1 genus)
Arula McFadden & Ofwegen, 2012
Aquaumbridae Breedy & Ofwegen, 2012 (1 genus)
Aquaumbra Breedy & Ofwegen, 2012
ORDER PENNATULACEA Verrill, 1865 (14 Families; 34 genera); characterized by an oozooid, proximal muscular peduncle, and distal polyp-bearing rachis.
Suborder Sessiliflorae Kükenethal, 1915
[Section Pennatulina radiata Kükenethal, 1915]
Veretillidae Herklots, 1858 (5 genera)
Amphibelemnon López-González, Gili & Williams, 2000
Cavernularia Valenciennes in Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850 [=Sarcobelemnon Herklots,
1858; Stylobelemnon Kölliker, 1872; ?Fusticularia Simpson, 1905; ?ParabelemnonThomson Simpson, 1909; ?Stylobelemnoides Thomson & Henderson, 1905] Cavernulina Kükenthal & Broch, 1911
Lituaria Valenciennes in Milne Edwards & Haime, 1850 [=Clavella Gray, 1870]
Veretillum Cuvier, 1798 [=Policella Gray, 1870]
Echinoptilidae Hubrecht, 1885 (2 genera)
Actinoptilum Kükenthal in Kükenthal & Broch, 1911
Echinoptilum Hubrecht, 1885
[Section Pennatulina foliata Kükenthal, 1915]
Renillidae Gray, 1870 (I genus)
Renilla Lamarck, 1816 [=Herklotsia Gray, 1860]
[Section Pennatulina biserialia Kükenthal, 1915]
Kophobelemnidae Gray, 1860 (4 genera)
Kophobelemnon Asbjørnsen, 1856 [=Bathyptilum Kölliker, 1872; Gunneria Danielssen & Koren, 1884]
Malacobelemnon Tixier-Durivault, 1965
Sclerobelemnon Kölliker, 1872 [=Mesobelemnon Gravier, 1907]
Anthoptilidae Kölliker, 1880 (1 genus)
Anthoptilum Kölliker, 1880 [=Benthoptilum Verrill,1885; Stephanoptilum Roule, 1905;
Thesioides Thomson & Henderson, 1906]
Funiculinidae Gray, 1870 (1 genus)
Funiculina Lamarck, 1816 [=Pavonaria Schweigger, 1820 not Kölliker, 1869; Leptoptilum Kölliker,
1880;
Trichoptilum Kölliker, 1880]
Protoptilidae Kölliker, 1872 (2 genera)
Protoptilum Kölliker, 1872
Distichoptilum Verrill, 1882 [=Helicoptilum Nutting, 1912; Juncoptilum Thomson & Henderson, 1905]
Stachyptilidae Kölliker, 1880 (2 genera)
Stachyptilum Kölliker, 1880
Gilibelemnon López-González & Williams, 2002
[Section Pennatulina verticillata Kükenthal, 1915]
Scleroptilidae Jungersen, 1904 (1 genus)
Scleroptilum Kölliker, 1880
Calibelemnon Nutting, 1908 [=Prochunella Balss, 1909]
Chunellidae Kükenthal, 1902 (3 genera)
Chunella Kükenthal, 1902
Amphiacme Kükenthal, 1903 [=Amphianthus Kükenthal, 1902 (preoccupied)]
Porcupinella Lopez-Gonzalez & Williams, 2011
Umbellulidae Kölliker, 1880 (1 genera)
Umbellula Cuvier, 1797 [=Crinillum Harting, Miquel & Hoven, 1861; Encrinus Larmarck,
1801; Ombellula Cuvier, 1797 (incorrect original spelling, ICZN 2999); 1801]
Umbellularia Lamarck,
Suborder Subselliflorae Kükenthal, 1915
[Section Pennatulina junciformia Kükenthal, 1915]
Halipteridae Williams, 1995 (1 genus)
Halipteris Kölliker, 1869 [=Balticina Gray, 1870; Göndul Koren & Danielssen, 1877;
Lygomorpha Koren & Danielssen, 1877; Microptilum Kölliker, 1880; Norticina Gray, 1870;
Osteocella Gray, 1870; Pavonaria Kölliker, 1869 not Schweigger, 1820;
Stichoptilum Grieg, 1887; Verrillia Stearns, 1873]
Virgulariidae Verrill, 1868 [6 genera]
Acanthoptilum Kölliker, 1870
Grasshoffia Williams, 2015 [two species: G. virgularioides Williams, 2015; G. profundica Williams, 2017]
Scytaliopsis Gravier, 1906
Scytalium Herklots, 1858
Stylatula [=Dübenia Koren & Danielssen, 1877]
Virgularia Lamarck, 1816 [=Cladiscus Koren & Danielssen, 1877; Deutocaulon
Marshall & Fowler, 1888; Halisceptrum Herklots, 1863; Herklots, 1858; Lygus Herklots,
1858; Protocaulon Kölliker, 1880; Sceptonidium Richiardi, 1869; Svava Danielssen &
Koren, 1884; Svavopsis Roule, 1908]
[Section Pennatulina penniformia Kükenthal, 1915]
Pennatulidae Ehrenberg, 1834 (6 genera)
Crassophyllum Tixier-Durivault, 1961
Gyrophyllum Studer, 1891 [=?Bathypenna Marion, 1906]
Pennatula Linnaeus, 1758 [=Leioptilus Gray, 1860 & 1870 in part; Phosphorella Gray, 1870 ]
Pteroeides Herklots, 1858 [=Argentella Gray, 1870; Crispella Gray, 1870; Godeffroyia Kölliker,
1870; Pteromorpha Herklots, 1858; Struthiopteron Broch,1910] Ptilella Gray, 1870
Ptilosarcus Verrill, 1865 [=Leioptilus Gray, 1870 in part, not Gray 1860]
Sarcoptilus Gray, 1848 [=Sarcophyllum Kölliker, 1870]