The validity of the currently recognized melithaeid genera (Acabaria, Clathraria, Melithaea, Mopsella, Wrightella) with the exception of the recently added genus Asperaxis, has puzzled scientists for almost a century. Diagnostic morphological characters

The validity of the currently recognized melithaeid genera (Acabaria, Clathraria, Melithaea, Mopsella, Wrightella) with the exception of the recently added genus Asperaxis, has puzzled scientists for almost a century. Diagnostic morphological characters

The family Melithaeidae (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) is distributed in the West Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. They are most abundant in warmer waters but can also be found in temperate waters. At present six genera are assigned to this family (Melithaea,