Alcyonium glomeratum

(Hassall, 1843)

Vernacular names
English : Red dead man’s fingers
French : Alcyon rouge

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Malacalcyonacea
Family : Alcyoniidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Body is composed of finger-like projections protruding from a base, reaching about 20 cm in length for a diameter (each finger) of 1.5 cm. Polyps are pure white and can be retracted. Colony body is red to orange, rarely yellow or white.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, from France to Great Britain. A small population is found on a ship wreck near UAE and Oman. Lives around rocky areas, often in shaded areas, under ledges or in cracks, below 10 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is usually scarce but can be locally abundant. It could be threatened on the long term by pollution and warming of waters.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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