Black sea fan (gorgonian with spines)
PU1244-1
Gorgonians, like corals, are marine animals organised into sessile colonies of polyps, supported by a branching skeleton called gorgonin.
Each polyp has eight tentacles used to filter plankton carried by the currents. Unlike photosynthetic species, gorgonians do not grow towards the light but perpendicularly to the flow, in order to intercept as much water movement as possible.
This specimen comes from the deep waters of the southern Philippines (Sulu Sea area, between Bohol and Palawan);
This black fan gorgonian with spines, remarkable for its size (1.30 m wide and 1.10 m high), is probably several decades old.
Mounted on a black oak base, it becomes a true marine curiosity, fully in keeping with the spirit of a cabinet of curiosities.
Each polyp has eight tentacles used to filter plankton carried by the currents. Unlike photosynthetic species, gorgonians do not grow towards the light but perpendicularly to the flow, in order to intercept as much water movement as possible.
This specimen comes from the deep waters of the southern Philippines (Sulu Sea area, between Bohol and Palawan);
This black fan gorgonian with spines, remarkable for its size (1.30 m wide and 1.10 m high), is probably several decades old.
Mounted on a black oak base, it becomes a true marine curiosity, fully in keeping with the spirit of a cabinet of curiosities.
