Iridigorgia - Flickr - NOAA Ocean Exploration ^ Research

Description:

This chrysogorgid octocoral, with its characteristic spiral form, belongs to the genus Iridigorgia. This stunning example was seen in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico during the Gulf of Mexico 2012 expedition. Note the squat lobsters delicately perched atop its branches. Characteristics that can help scientists identify the type of Iridogorgia include the distance between parts of the coil along the main axis and the shape of the polyps. [Source: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/celebrating-ocean-plane...]