Oculina patagonica
Angelis, 1908
This species may have been introduced from the south-west Atlantic coasts of Argentina and Uruguay.
Description: This species is both zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate. Colonies are encrusting or form clumps of short, thick, highly fused branches. Corallites are crowded, up to 5 millimetres diameter and have neat round exsert walls. Long and short septa clearly alternate. Costae are weakly developed.
Color: Yellowish-brown.
Habitat: Rocky foreshores and caves.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Oculina patagonica resembles the rhizangiid Astrangia in corallite structure and sometimes in growth-form.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic referen-ce: Zibrowius (1980).
Large colony showing some column formation. Italy Photograph: Maoz Fine
Surface detail. Italy Photograph: Maoz Fine
A small encrusting colony. Italy Photograph: Maoz Fine
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.