Eunicea calyculata

(Ellis & Solander, 1786)

Vernacular names
English : Warty sea rod
French : Gorgone verruqueuse

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

Identification
Colonies can grow up to 1.8 meters in height. Branches are growing upwards and can grow to 2 cm thick, spreading in all directions and diverging not only from base. Polyp coloration is light brown to beige. Polyp openings regularly placed.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from south Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Lives in seaward reefs, with moderate wave action, from 10 to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status hasn’t been assessed so far. It seems locally abundant but pollution and climate change effects could be threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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