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 rugosa have an encrusting growth form that make them difficult to recognize in situ.

4a. – Sclerites dense in distal and proximal portions of tentacle rachis, oriented longitudinally at base, and in two horizontal rows in distal half of rachis; Color bright red
...................Telesto sanguinea Deichmann, 1936

4b. – Sclerites present only in proximal half or base of tentacles, or if in distal portion, sparingly so; few horizontally oriented rods; Color light red, yellow, orange or brown..................................................5

Polyp of Telesto fruticulosa, showing sclerites only in proximal region of rachis