Myriapora truncata, commonly known as False Coral, is a magnificent Bryozoan found in the Mediterranean Sea. Its vibrant red-orange color and resemblance to Red Coral (Corallium rubrum) make it a striking feature of Gozo’s underwater landscape.
False Coral can be identified by its short, stubby, dichotomous branches that appear truncated at the ends. The branches are porous and intensely red-orange, with minute pores that represent the individual polyploids making up the colony.
Myriapora truncata is much more fragile than true coral and loses its color if removed from the sea. Colonies anchor to rocky substrates in dimly lit areas, ranging from 2m to 100m deep. Each colony can grow up to 10cm wide, with cylindrical branches.
False Coral serves as an environmental indicator due to variations in the diameter of its branches and the size of the polyploids. These changes reflect environmental conditions from the Cenozoic to the modern era in the Mediterranean Sea.
Diving at Reqqa Point on Gozo’s north coast offers a chance to see False Coral alongside fascinating marine life. Encounter Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) and Fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) while exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem.
Photos of this colony of False Coral, taken at a depth of 5m at Reqqa Point, showcase the stunning marine biodiversity in Gozo’s waters. Dive into this underwater paradise to experience the wonders of False Coral and its aquatic companions.
