Dataset: Octocoral Recruitment surveys on transects at 6 sites on the south shore of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands in 2021 and 2022

Recruit censuses were conducted in 2021 and 2021. Recruits (1 polyp - 5 centimeters tall) were enumerated, and when possible were identified to genus level in separate 0.25 square meter quadrats randomly placed (n = 8) along 6 transects at each of 3 sites (48 quadrats per site). Transects were positioned in a marked 50-meter x 10-meter area, with stainless steel eye bolts marking each corner, and each of the 6 transects. Transects were 10 meters long across the area.

Transect positions by site:
- Europa, Grootpan, and Tektite: transects were positioned in a marked 50 x 10 meter area, with stainless steel eye bolts marking each corner, and each of the 6 transects. Transects were 10 meters long across the area. So there were 0 meters; 10 meters; 20 meters; 30 meters; 40 meters; 50 meters.
- Booby Rock:  Surveys at Booby Rock were added in 2022. Transects were positioned at random points along a 100-meter line run parallel to the shore.  Transects ran downslope for 10 meters from the point on the 100-meter line.
- Deep Tektite, Yawzi: Three 10-meter transects positioned 10 meters apart along the reef edge and running perpendicular to the reef edge. 0.25 square meter quadrats were randomly placed (n = 16) along 3 transects at each site (48 quadrats per site).

Known Issues:
Eunicea spp. recruits that could not be identified to species were grouped into three groups based on the size of calyces:
Eunicea sp g1 – large polyps -Eunicea calyculata/clavigera/tournefortii/laciniata
Eunicea sp g2 – intermediate size with tubular calyces - Eunicea succinea/mammosa/laxispica
Eunicea sp g3 – small polyps - Eunicea asperula/flexuosa/knighti/palmeri/pinta/pallida

Notes:
- Octocoral recruits are defined as individuals greater than 5 centimeters in height.
- 8 quadrats were surveyed by transect but a few transects present differences in the number of quadrats surveyed.
- 0.1 centimeter or greater than 0.1 centimeter recruits are those with 1, 2, or 3 polyps and therefore not measurable.
- In the comments column: "No recruits present " indicates those quadrats surveyed without recruits.