Jeff Stauffer, USA
Info
Pacifigorgia darwinii is the most abundant species of the genus in the Galapagos Islands.
Pacifigorgia darwinii forms colonies with kidney-shaped fans that branch from a single mount.
The polyps of the gorgonian are white or yellow in color, and the coenenchyma is dark reddish-purple in color.
The coral is firmly anchored on solid substrate between 3 - 26 metersdepth.
The elevations resulting from the retracted polyps vary from yellow to cream or white - San Cristobal (yellow, cream or white); Isabela (cream or yellow), Fernandina (yellow), Floreana (white).
The colonies studied are up to 250 mm in size, dark purple, with yellow or white oval rings, and have open and uniform reticulate branching.
Most colonies consist of 2-3 parallel compartments. The branches are up to 1.5 mm in diameter.
The stem is short, not more than 5 mm high, without distinct midribs.
The oval elevations resulting from the retracted polyps are generally flat and form yellow, cream or white rings around the polyp openings, usually arranged in two longitudinal rows on most branches and in several rows (4 or 5) on the thicker branches.
Synonym: Gorgonia darwinii Hickson, 1928
Very special thanks for the first great phoho of Pacifigorgia darwinii to Jeff Stauffer, USA!
Pacifigorgia darwinii forms colonies with kidney-shaped fans that branch from a single mount.
The polyps of the gorgonian are white or yellow in color, and the coenenchyma is dark reddish-purple in color.
The coral is firmly anchored on solid substrate between 3 - 26 metersdepth.
The elevations resulting from the retracted polyps vary from yellow to cream or white - San Cristobal (yellow, cream or white); Isabela (cream or yellow), Fernandina (yellow), Floreana (white).
The colonies studied are up to 250 mm in size, dark purple, with yellow or white oval rings, and have open and uniform reticulate branching.
Most colonies consist of 2-3 parallel compartments. The branches are up to 1.5 mm in diameter.
The stem is short, not more than 5 mm high, without distinct midribs.
The oval elevations resulting from the retracted polyps are generally flat and form yellow, cream or white rings around the polyp openings, usually arranged in two longitudinal rows on most branches and in several rows (4 or 5) on the thicker branches.
Synonym: Gorgonia darwinii Hickson, 1928
Very special thanks for the first great phoho of Pacifigorgia darwinii to Jeff Stauffer, USA!
