Purple Thing with White Appendages

[scubapolly]

I'll go with Polly; that's the holdfast of a gorgonian coral. Probably from a sea whip. The colors are faded due to light attenuation from depth.

The genera from this group don't bleach in a visible way. The color is intrinsic to the skeletal spicules in the outer tissues. They'll retain their color well after death. I've got dried specimens in my lab.

Woo Hoo! Arch, thanks for the validation that I haven't forgotten everything I learned in Marine Bios!!!!!

 

[Oceandvr]

Are you sure you want more pictures? I went diving with a camera for the first time and shot over 700 pictures. I'm still sorting them out. The purple enigma was in a batch from a wreck dive and may have been taken from 50 to 110 feet deep. It's amazing what you see when you are looking through a camera screen. I've had all 3 Humann books out since my return.

I need to buy a strobe.

If you find some clearer photos in that batch of 700...post them.