[Coral-List] Tubastraea micranthus in Gulf of Mexico

[Ken Marks]

On 2/7/2013 1:31 PM, Billy Causey - NOAA Federal wrote:
> Ken ...
> I responded to quickly.  I am referring to Tubastraea coccinea, not 
> Tubastraea micranthus.  Alina Szmant pointed out my oversight!  Thank 
> you Alina!  Still wait to hear from Emma and GP.  Billy
>

Yup. Several others have assumed that I was referring to the 
long-standing /T. coccinea/ invader and not the (apparent) recent 
invasion by its kin /T. micrantha/. I am working with Paul Humann on a 
new edition of his Caribbean region Coral ID book and we are considering 
adding this new arborescent /Tubastraea /following the write-up we have 
already in the text for /coccinea/. This new species may still be 
limited to oil rig structures in the northern Gulf of Mexico where it 
was first discovered by Sammarco in 2010 or it may have spread or been 
additionally introduced since then. To that end we are seeking any 
sightings of the dark green branching /Tubastreaea /(not the well-known 
orange mounding species) from the tropical western Atlantic. 
Additionally, any well-lit publication-quality images of this species 
(from the TWA - not its native waters) would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance.


-- 
Ken Marks
AGRRA Data Manager