Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL), Hawaii, USA
Info
Colonies of the deep-water gorgonian Callogorgia formosa are taller than they are wide, forming large colonies that can reach 100cm in height.
The colonies usually consist of only one straight (not bent) main branch, from which pairs of branches branch pinnately on opposite sides, the branches reach up to 15cm in length, becoming shorter near the branch tip.
Color: pale yellow
Polyps sit in whorls of 3 -5 pieces (usually 4); about 4 whorls per cm; diameter of whorls is about 2.2 mm.
Polyps also occur randomly on the main branch, reaching 1.7 - 1.8 mm.
Comparisons: Among Callogorgia species, C. formosa is unique in that it is opposite pinnate (not alternate pinnate).
Distribution:
Northwestern Hawaiiian Islands, off Pioneer Seamount and Necker Island, off O'ahu and Maui, at depths of 296 - 472 meters.
Off Great Nicobar Island, Indian Ocean, in 362-750 meters depth
Synonym: Primnoella indica Kükenthal, 1907
The junior synonym Primnoella indica Kükenthal, 1907, is also a secondary homonym of Callogorgia indica Thomson & Henderson, 1906, but its name is not substituted here because it is considered a junior synonym.
The colonies usually consist of only one straight (not bent) main branch, from which pairs of branches branch pinnately on opposite sides, the branches reach up to 15cm in length, becoming shorter near the branch tip.
Color: pale yellow
Polyps sit in whorls of 3 -5 pieces (usually 4); about 4 whorls per cm; diameter of whorls is about 2.2 mm.
Polyps also occur randomly on the main branch, reaching 1.7 - 1.8 mm.
Comparisons: Among Callogorgia species, C. formosa is unique in that it is opposite pinnate (not alternate pinnate).
Distribution:
Northwestern Hawaiiian Islands, off Pioneer Seamount and Necker Island, off O'ahu and Maui, at depths of 296 - 472 meters.
Off Great Nicobar Island, Indian Ocean, in 362-750 meters depth
Synonym: Primnoella indica Kükenthal, 1907
The junior synonym Primnoella indica Kükenthal, 1907, is also a secondary homonym of Callogorgia indica Thomson & Henderson, 1906, but its name is not substituted here because it is considered a junior synonym.
