Octocorals with monopodial branching and an axial polyp from which all lateral daughter polyps arise.
There are five species belonging to 3 genera of clavulariid octocorals in the SAB. The species of Telesto represented in this region are often distinguished by the presence and orientation of the flat anthocodial rods in the polyp tentacles. These rods may be difficult to see, especially if the polyps are retracted into the calyces. Variability in these features can be seen not only within colonies, but also within individual polyps. It appears that if larvae are present within the calyces the polyps are reduced in size, making it difficult to distinguish the orientation of the tentacular rods. Relaxing the polyps prior to preservation may make identification easier (see methods).
Both forms of Scleranthelia rugosahave an encrusting growth form that make them difficult to recognize in situ.

2a. – Calyces connected by slender (1 mm) ribbon-like stolons

Scleranthelia rugosa (Pourtalès 1867)
growth form rugosa

Scleranthelia rugosa var. rugosa

2b. – Calyces connected by sheet-like membranous stolons

Scleranthelia rugosa (Pourtalès 1867)
growth form musiva Studer

Scleranthelia rugosa var. musiva; top: encrusting a rock; bottom: encrusting a dead octocoral branch