KEYS TO THE SCLERACTINIA OF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES 



The identification and classification of Scleractinia depend 

 entirely on characteristics of the corallum; therefore, it is 

 generally necessary to remove the tissue from the corallum 

 before using the keys. This is easily accomplished by soaking the 

 coral in full-strength commercial bleach for several hours 

 followed by thorough rinsing. The specimens should then be 



stored dry. 



An illustrated, dichotomous key is presented first, followed 

 by two tabular keys to the same species: one keying the colonial 

 species and the other, the solitary ones. A blank space in the 

 tabular key indicates that this character does not apply to this 

 species. 



DICHOTOMOUS KEY 



1 Corallum solitary (see tabular key 1 ) 2 



1 Corallum colonial (see tabular key 2) 10 



2 (/) Corallum firmly attached to substrate 3 



2 (J) Corallum unattached or attached to small fragment of parent specimen 4 



3 (2) Five or more cycles of septa (>96 septa); septa and theca thick, robust; theca granular and costate; inner 



septal edges straight (Fig. 3) Desmophyllum cristagatti 



Figure 3. — Desmophyllum crislagalli: side view. 

 Scale: 3 cm. 



Figure 4. — Javania cailleti: A, side >iew of specimen with 

 damaned upper septal edges; B. side view of specimen w illi intact 

 septa, UlustrallnK liroad. encrusting attachment. Scales: 1 cm. 



3 (2) Usually four cycles of septa (48 septa), occasionally 64 septa; septa and upper theca very delicate; theca 



smooth and porcelaneous; inner septal edges sinuous (Fig. 4A, B) Javania cailleti 



