Octocorallia Haeckel 1866

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

The sea pen, Ptilosarcus gurneyi, is a colonial cnidaria in the same class as the anemone, the anthozoa. One polyp has been modified to form the body while the fringes of the 'feather' contain numerous small feeding polyps.

These sea pens beautifully bioluminesce and rapidly retreat beneath the sand when disturbed. Depth 10 m.

The tentacles of these polyps continuously open and close. Subclass Octocorallia.

Shallow water species

Alcyoniid maybe

Iridogorgia send to Les Watling (S. Cairns)

Another photo. Note that the polyps are arranged in flaplike rows on the plume. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2005

Dead men's fingers; Dodemansduim.

HelioporaFrom Flickr

This closeup shows the individual polyps lining the rows. A small majid crab has climbed aboard, and may be nipping at the polyps, though the crab's activity did not stimulate Ptilosarcus to close.

Heliopora coral is often used in jewelryFrom Flickr

Lobophyton species