CONTENTS

Introduction
The South Atlantic Bight
Methods
Octocoral Morphology

Glossary
Gorgonacean Bauplan

List of Species

Occurence Table

Key to the Families of Octocorals in the South Atlantic Bight

Key to the Species of
Clavulariidae
Anthothelidae

Plexauridae
Gorgoniidae
Virgulariidae

Notes on the Species
Carijoa riisei
Scleranthelia rugosa
Telesto fruticulosa
Telesto nelleae
Telesto sanguinea
Bellonella rubistella
Pseudodrifa nigra
Nidalia occidentalis
Iciligorgia schrammi
Diodogorgia nodulifera
Titanideum frauenfeldii
Muricea pendula
Thesea nivea
Bebryce grandis
Bebryce parastellata
Scleracis guadalupensis
Placogorgia
sp.
Leptogorgia hebes
Leptogorgia punicea
Leptogorgia cardinalis
Leptogorgia virgulata
Leptogorgia setacea
Leptogorgia euryale
Ctenocella (Ellisella) barbadensis
Renilla reniformis
Sclerobelemnon theseus
Stylatula elegans
Virgularia presbytes

References Cited

Suggested Reading/Viewing

Acknowledgements

Key to Families of Shallow Water (0-200m) Octocorals of the South Atlantic Bight

Order Pennatulacea- Couplet 9

9a. – Colony foliose or heart-shaped, with polyps on upper surface. Sclerites rod-like. No axis

...........................................Family Renillidae
Renilla reniformis (Pallas), 1766

Renilla reniformis
Renilla reniformis

9b. – Colony slender, elongate, pen-like or clavate, often with naked dorsal groove or track. Sclerites, when present, as scales or needles. Axis always present ................................................10

Sclerobelemnon theseus Virgularia presbytes Stylatula elegans
left: Sclerobelemnon theseus; middle: Virgularia presbytes; right: Stylatula elegans

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