Spiny sclerites on an Acanthogorgia octocoral give the polyps a pin cushion-like appearance. The coiled pink spiny arms belong to ophiuroid brittle stars that live on the coral.
Spiny Sclerites
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Discovering the Deep: Exploring Remote Pacific MPAs. Download larger version (jpg, 937 KB).
Spiny sclerites on an Acanthogorgia octocoral give the polyps a pin cushion-like appearance. The coiled pink spiny arms belong to ophiuroid brittle stars that live on the coral.
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