Brown Gorgonian Muricea fruticosa, #37158

Brown Gorgonian Muricea fruticosa on underwater rocky reef, amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. The brown gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by., natural history stock photograph, photo id 37158
Brown Gorgonian Muricea fruticosa on underwater rocky reef, amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. The brown gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by.

Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37158
Lat/Long: 33.47795, -118.60242 (Coordinates: 33° 28' 40.61" N, 118° 36' 8.70" W)
Format: Digital 3:2
Keywords: california, catalina, catalina island, muricea fruticosa, ocean, pacific, underwater
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