Admin Meerwasser-Lexikon
Info
Pacifigorgia rubicunda is an azooxanthellate reticulated gorgonian known so far only from a few areas in the Eastern Pacific.
The denser the net of the gorgonian's branches, the more plankton can become entangled in the coral's tissue.
Habitat:
This species of gorgonian grows on vertical rock faces of rocky reefs or on large individual rocks covered mainly with algae, sponges, and bryozoans.
Pacifigorgia rubicunda also grow in rock crevices and ledges where they reach their maximum size.
This species occurs together with Pacifigorgia irene and Pacifigorgia cairnsi, but has also been found alone on deep rocky reefs.
Remarks.
Colonies of this species were generally found in very poor condition, mostly torn with only small living fragments (40-50 mm).
Colonies are not very numerous and live close together on the same rocks.
Very many azooxanthellate gorgonians live in a commensal relationship with echinoderms e.g. Ophiothela mirabilis, the starfish find abundant plankton prey on the corals and also some protection from predators (hiding place).
Naming:
The species name "rubicunda" is an adjective and stands for the colors orange, yellowish and red.
The denser the net of the gorgonian's branches, the more plankton can become entangled in the coral's tissue.
Habitat:
This species of gorgonian grows on vertical rock faces of rocky reefs or on large individual rocks covered mainly with algae, sponges, and bryozoans.
Pacifigorgia rubicunda also grow in rock crevices and ledges where they reach their maximum size.
This species occurs together with Pacifigorgia irene and Pacifigorgia cairnsi, but has also been found alone on deep rocky reefs.
Remarks.
Colonies of this species were generally found in very poor condition, mostly torn with only small living fragments (40-50 mm).
Colonies are not very numerous and live close together on the same rocks.
Very many azooxanthellate gorgonians live in a commensal relationship with echinoderms e.g. Ophiothela mirabilis, the starfish find abundant plankton prey on the corals and also some protection from predators (hiding place).
Naming:
The species name "rubicunda" is an adjective and stands for the colors orange, yellowish and red.
