The variation of Halocordyle disticha (Cnidaria, Athecata) from the Brazilian coast: an environmental indicator species?

The rediscovery of Halocardyle fragilis Vannucci, of which the type material is lost, led us to consider it a variety of Halocardyle disticha (Goldfuss) that occurs in calm waters on soft bottoms. The typical H. disticha is open feather-shaped, with branching in one plane, while H. fragilis is bushy, much larger, with branching in many planes. The different habit of H. disticha is probably due to environmental conditions. The bushy and pinnate forms are considered extremes of a range of morphological variation.