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 Alcyonacea- Couplet 4

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 a) cortex; b) medulla; and c) boundary canals

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 ..........................................5

calicified, solid axis of Ellisella barbadensis

hollow axis of Leptogorgia virgulata, showing cross-chambered core
top: calicified, solid axis of Ctenocella (Ellisella) barbadensis; bottom: hollow axis of Leptogorgia virgulata, showing cross-chambered core

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