4a.
– Octocorals with axial structures composed of free sclerites.
Stem divided into outer cortex and inner spiculated medulla, with
ring of boundary canals between.
Suborder Scleraxonia………Family
Anthothelidae
![Diodogorgia nodulifera cross-section, showing cortex, medulla and boundary canals Diodogorgia nodulifera cross-section, showing cortex, medulla and boundary canals](Dnodulifera_xsectkey.jpg)
Diodogorgia
nodulifera cross-section, showing a) cortex; b) medulla; and
c) boundary canals
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4b. – Octocorals
with axial structures not composed of free sclerites; horny axis
with a distinct core which may be solid, or hollow and cross-chambered
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![calicified, solid axis of Ellisella barbadensis calicified, solid axis of Ellisella barbadensis](Ellisella_stem_key.jpg)
![hollow axis of Leptogorgia virgulata, showing cross-chambered core hollow axis of Leptogorgia virgulata, showing cross-chambered core](lvirgulata_axis_key.jpg)
top: calicified, solid axis of Ctenocella
(Ellisella) barbadensis; bottom: hollow axis
of Leptogorgia virgulata, showing cross-chambered core
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