Iciligorgia schrammi

Iciligorgia schrammi, common names deepwater sea fan and black sea fan[2][3] is a species of gorgonian sea fan in the family Anthothelidae.[1] It is found in tropical parts of the Atlantic Ocean. This species was first described in 1870 by the French naturalist Édouard Placide Duchassaing de Fontbressin.

Iciligorgia schrammi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Anthothelidae
Genus: Iciligorgia
Species:
I. schrammi
Binomial name
Iciligorgia schrammi

Description

Iciligorgia schrammi is the largest of the sea fans and large specimens are much bigger than gorgonians. It is dichotomously branched in a single plane with the branches much further apart than other sea fans, giving it a ragged appearance. However, small specimens do not give this impression. The main branches are somewhat flattened and are 3 to 5 millimetres (0.12 to 0.20 in) in width. The polyps protrude from the edges of the branches. Their calyces are dome-shaped and have eight separate lobes. The polyps are stiffened with sclerites, which are curved spindles and rods which are arranged as a collar with pointed projections. The colour of this sea fan is usually light brown to bright red. Several brittle stars were associated with it in this habitat.[4][5]

Distribution

In the Atlantic Ocean, this species is found from south Florida southwards to Brazil, and in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.[4] A single specimen was found in the South Atlantic Bight in Georgia in 2007 which is a northward extension to its range.[4]

Habitat

Iciligorgia schrammi normally grows at depths from 3 to 368 metres. It lives on vertical walls, standing out perpendicularly, and can also grow in deep water where the water is clear and the current high on slope breaks.[6]

References
  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Iciligorgia schrammi Duchassaing, 1870". Marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  2. "ITIS Standard Report Page: Iciligorgia schrammi". Itis.gov. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  3. "Iciligorgia schrammi (Deep-Water Sea Fan)". Zipcodezoo.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  4. "Shallow Octocorals of the SAB - Iciligorgia schrammi". Dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  5. "Iciligorgia schrammi (Duchassaing 1870)". Coralpedia. University of Warwick. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  6. "NOAA CoRIS - Navassa Island: Marine Biota". Coris.noaa.gov. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
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