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., 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.

Species: Red gorgonian, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 03480
Lat/Long: 32.81592, -118.35644 (Coordinates: 32° 48' 57.31" N, 118° 21' 23.18" W)
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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