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December 29, 2020: Symbiosis

This image illustrates two types of symbiotic relationships. First is a zoanthid that has paratized a bubblegum coral, feeding off of the coral and causing it harm. Second is the brittle star, which is clinging to the branches of the zoanthid and coral in order to get further up off the seafloor into the water column to feed or for protection. This was seen during a dive to the southeast of Castellano Seamount as part of the 2016 Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deep Waters off Hawaiʻi expedition.

Image courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016. Download larger version (jpg, 1.5 MB).

This image illustrates two types of symbiotic relationships. First is a zoanthid that has paratized a bubblegum coral, feeding off of the coral and causing it harm. Second is the brittle star, which is clinging to the branches of the zoanthid and coral in order to get further up off the seafloor into the water column to feed or for protection. This was seen during a dive to the southeast of Castellano Seamount as part of the 2016 Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deep Waters off Hawaiʻi expedition.