California Golden gorgonian polyps, #37205

California Golden gorgonian polyps. The golden 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 Diego, USA, natural history stock photograph, photo id 37205
California Golden gorgonian polyps. The golden 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 Diego, USA

Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 37205
Format: Digital 2:3
Keywords: animal, california, california golden gorgonian, channel islands, coral, creature, gorgonian, invertebrate, marine invertebrate, marine invertebrate anatomy, muricea californica, nature, ocean, oceans, pacific, polyp, san diego, sea fan, soft coral, underwater, usa, wildlife
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