Evolution & Systematics

This species belongs to the phylum Cnidaria, which basically comprises soft and stony corals, anemones, medusae, hydras and hydroids. This group is mainly characterizes by its radial form  and the possession of specialized cells called cnidocytes used to sting their prey. The basic bauplan is formed by the body cavity named coeleteron (the gastrovasculas cavity) which ends in a mouth open to the exterior that is surrounded by tentacles of variate numbers. The body wall has three tissue layers: epidermis (the outer layer),gastrodermis (inner layer) and between the epidermis and gastrodermis relies the mesoglea, which is a gelatinous extracellular matrix.

The class Anthozoa is the taxon that consist of all cnidarians that only has one life stage: the polyp phase. Its is also the most diverse group within the phylum. The organ-pipe coral belongs to the subclass Octocorallia, a group of exclusively marine and mostly colonial animals. Most species of this group is associated with the coral-reef community. All representatives of this group have eight pinnate tentacles with little branches on its margin called pinnules.