The Oculina Zone

The Oculina zone extends from 10 m to about 17 m in a narrow band that rings the sound and flanks the median ridge. The transition from sand to mud of this zone can be quite sharp. The mud-living coral, Oculina valenciennesi, is the dominant organism at these depths. Many organisms live attached to these 30 to 60cm high coral bushes, including boring sponges and bivalves. Several sponge species, algae and clusters of Arca and Millepora are found in the mud sediment.