California golden gorgonian polyps, Muricea californica, #03481

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 Clemente Island, USA, Muricea californica, natural history stock photograph, photo id 03481
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 Clemente Island, USA

Species: California golden gorgonian, Muricea californica
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 03481
Format: Film 3:2
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 clemente island, sea fan, soft coral, underwater, usa, wildlife
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