Red gorgonian polyps, Leptogorgia chilensis, #03480

Red gorgonian polyps. The red gorgonian is a colonial organism composed of thousands of tiny polyps. Each polyp secretes calcium which accumulates to form the structure of the colony. The fan-shaped gorgonian is oriented perpendicular to prevailing ocean currents to better enable to filter-feeding polyps to capture passing plankton and detritus passing by. San Clemente Island, California, USA, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, natural history stock photograph, photo id 03480
Red gorgonian polyps. The red gorgonian is a colonial organism composed of thousands of tiny polyps. Each polyp secretes calcium which accumulates to form the structure of the colony. The fan-shaped gorgonian is oriented perpendicular to prevailing ocean currents to better enable to filter-feeding polyps to capture passing plankton and detritus passing by. San Clemente Island, California, USA

This image is featured in: Sea Fans and Gorgonians at San Clemente Island, Red Gorgonian, Lophogorgia chilensis

Species: Red gorgonian, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 03480
Format: Film 2:3
Keywords: animal, california, channel islands, coral, creature, gorgonian, invertebrate, lophogorgia chilensis, marine invertebrate, marine invertebrate anatomy, nature, ocean, oceans, pacific, polyp, red gorgonian, san clemente island, sea fan, soft coral, underwater, usa, wildlife
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