Alberto Alcalá, Mexiko
Info
Leptogorgia laxa is a member of the Gorgoniidae family, a family of octocorals, and is found only in a few areas of the Eastern Pacific.
This colonial horn coral reaches a height of up to 25 cm and a width of up to 17 cm and grows from a spreading holdfast.
The stems are up to 10 mm long, and the subsequent branching is spreading, sparse, and irregularly dichotomous, resulting in relatively long, thin, and flexible branches.
The stems have a diameter of up to 2 mm, and the branches typically have a diameter of 1–1.5 mm.
Unbranched terminal branches are tapering and about 3–5 cm long.
Polyps may be arranged in alternating double rows, as in the lectotype, or are evenly distributed around the branches at intervals of about 1.0 mm.
Etymology:
The species name “laxa” refers to the colony’s growth pattern. In Leptogorgia laxa, the branches and ramifications of the gorgonian are typically looser, more sprawling, or less dense and rigidly arranged than in other species of the same genus.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Alberto Alcalá of Mexico, who posted his photo on iNaturalist for identification.
Our consultation today with Dr. Odalisca Breedy, the specialist in East Pacific Leptogorgia species, revealed that Dr. Breedy confirmed Alberto Alcalá’s identification:
“Hi Andreas, I agree with the ID, Leptogorgia laxa for the species from Manzanillo, Mexico. All the best, Oda" / July 17, 2026, 2:14 p.m.
This colonial horn coral reaches a height of up to 25 cm and a width of up to 17 cm and grows from a spreading holdfast.
The stems are up to 10 mm long, and the subsequent branching is spreading, sparse, and irregularly dichotomous, resulting in relatively long, thin, and flexible branches.
The stems have a diameter of up to 2 mm, and the branches typically have a diameter of 1–1.5 mm.
Unbranched terminal branches are tapering and about 3–5 cm long.
Polyps may be arranged in alternating double rows, as in the lectotype, or are evenly distributed around the branches at intervals of about 1.0 mm.
Etymology:
The species name “laxa” refers to the colony’s growth pattern. In Leptogorgia laxa, the branches and ramifications of the gorgonian are typically looser, more sprawling, or less dense and rigidly arranged than in other species of the same genus.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Alberto Alcalá of Mexico, who posted his photo on iNaturalist for identification.
Our consultation today with Dr. Odalisca Breedy, the specialist in East Pacific Leptogorgia species, revealed that Dr. Breedy confirmed Alberto Alcalá’s identification:
“Hi Andreas, I agree with the ID, Leptogorgia laxa for the species from Manzanillo, Mexico. All the best, Oda" / July 17, 2026, 2:14 p.m.
