A type of soft-bodied marine animal related to sea corals and sea anemones, belonging to the class Alcyonaria.
From Greek alkyon, referring to the halcyon or kingfisher bird, because ancient naturalists thought these creatures resembled birds. The spelling shifted over time as the word passed through Latin into modern scientific nomenclature.
These sea animals are so weird they were named after birds—ancient Greeks had no idea what they actually were! Even today, some alcyonids can glow in the dark or change colors to match their mood.
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