Peer Aquatic Biology
Info
Paracalyptrophora is a deep-sea gorgonian, which so far is only known from a few sites, which were discovered in the course of scientific investigations with the help of so-called ROVs.
Typical habitats are hard surfaces of so-called seamounts.
In the cold and dark water zones, where photosynthesis is no longer possible, all corals had to develop strategies to secure the vital energy, in this case, to catch.
The dense, bushy branchings are perfect for holding living zooplanton, or grasping sinking marine snow, Paracalyptrophora echinata grows more in width than in height and has a shape reminiscent of a chanukki chandelier, ideal for catching plankton.
We thank NOAA Okeanos Explorer for the great photo.
Similar species: Paracalyptrophora hawaiiensis Cairns, 2009
Typical habitats are hard surfaces of so-called seamounts.
In the cold and dark water zones, where photosynthesis is no longer possible, all corals had to develop strategies to secure the vital energy, in this case, to catch.
The dense, bushy branchings are perfect for holding living zooplanton, or grasping sinking marine snow, Paracalyptrophora echinata grows more in width than in height and has a shape reminiscent of a chanukki chandelier, ideal for catching plankton.
We thank NOAA Okeanos Explorer for the great photo.
Similar species: Paracalyptrophora hawaiiensis Cairns, 2009
