Posted by on May 10, 2005 at 12:34:43:
In Reply to: Gurney's Sea Pen posted by scottfiji on May 10, 2005 at 11:36:08:
Gurney's Sea Pen, aka Orange Sea Pen
Ptilosarcus gurneyi
Description 18" (46 cm) high, 4" (102 mm) wide. Stout, plumelike. Tannish-yellow to orange, translucent. Midrib bearing 20 pairs of flat, wide side branches with rows of polyps along both edges, and swollen base for anchorage.
Habitat Anchored in soft bottoms; from below low-tide line to water more than 100' (30 m) deep.
Range British Columbia to c. California.
Discussion When disturbed, this plumy colony can contract and completely withdraw into the muddy bottom by releasing large amounts of water from a system of internal canals.