I'm trying to determine a few reef sites in the Florida Keys that may have both the shallow and deep morphologies of Eunicea flexuosa (formerly known as Plexuara flexuosa). I have attached photos of the two growth forms. Any help would be appreciated.
I am sorry, I not familiar with the coral reefs in Florida. In Puerto Rico, there are several places where you can find this species.
Thanks Edgardo, I have actually worked on this species in Puerto Rico as well in the Lajas area. Do you know where else on PR they occur?
Hello Alicia, good to hear from you:
I have collected this species in Ponce and in Guayama, both in the south coast; and in Belvedere, Cabo Rojo, in the western end of the Island.
I just came across this old post and I am sure you found the answers you were looking for by now, but the picture of what you call "deep morphology" looks like it may be Eunicea asperula https://cnso.nova.edu/ncri/sofla_octocoral_guide/sp_EASP.html or other eunicid. What was the depth and habitat type?
Hi Selena,
Thanks for the info. I think the main difference, just visibly, has to do with the protrusion of the apertures/polyps. They do look very similar thoughl. This image is from the Nova Website (https://nsuworks.nova.edu/octocoral_all/122/) and looks like it is an accurate representation of the deep linage. I myself don't have a clear photo, but whenever I've seen it it looks very much like this. E. flexuosa though has very small and smooth apertures/polyps sometimes they are even concave-ish.
I actually haven't found the answer I was looking for so if you do have any places where you think they. might co-occur that would be great to know! Thanks for your help!
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