CNIDARIA : ALCYONACEA : Alcyoniidae | SEA ANEMONES AND HYDROIDS |
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Alcyonium hibernicum |
Description: This small soft coral typically forms Alcyonium-like fingers up to 40mm tall. It is pink in colour, with white flecks on the tentacles.
Habitat: Found in localities somewhat sheltered from strong wave action and out of the light. On rocks with little algal growth, beneath overhangs, in crevices, caves, on wrecks, etc. Depth range 0-35m. May occur in enclosed situations such as sea lochs (loughs) where salinity is slightly reduced.
Ecology: Known to produce larvae which settle close to the parent colony, resulting in very localised distribution.
Distribution: Very local on west coasts of the British Isles, north to Mull, western Scotland. Can be quite common in suitable localities.
Similar Species: May be confused with small colonies of Alcyonium digitatum but habitat preferences, colour and 'spangled' appearance of polyps should enable a positive identification.
Key Identification Features:
Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.
WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.
iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database
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Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Alcyonium hibernicum (Renouf, 1931). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D10300 Accessed on 2025-02-08 |
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