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Oculina
varicosa grows in thicket-like patterns and provides a
unique habitat off the coast of Florida. Click image for
larger view.
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Ivory Tree coral, Oculina varicosa
- The Ivory Tree
Coral, Oculina varicosa,
occurs in depths of several meters to greater than 100 meters. In
shallow depths colonies are relatively small with stout club-like
branches whereas in greater depths colonies may be up to several meters
in diameter and clustered in a thicket-like habitat.
- In depths of 50 m or
greater Oculina varicosa lacks zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae
that gives corals their color and part of their nutrition; it is
therefore white at these depths and relies solely on planktonic
food.
- Scientific studies have
shown a very high diversity of mollusks and crustaceans, with hundreds
of species represented in the interstices of the Oculina coral
heads.
- Other studies showed that
highly prized species of grouper, gag and scamp, form large spawning
aggregations in Oculina habitat in February and March.
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