Phosphorescent Sea Pen

Pennatula phosphorea

• Group: Coral
• IUCN status: NT

Rooted in muddy bottoms by a swollen stalk, this sea pen spreads feathery feeding branches into the current and glows with a cold blue light when disturbed. It lives across the circalittoral and bathyal zones and is listed as Near Threatened.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Cnidaria › Octocorallia › Scleralcyonacea › Pennatulidae › Pennatula

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 128517.