In this article we will discuss about the structure of Gorgonia with the help of a diagram.
Fig. 172 GORGONIA
1. It is the dried skeleton of a colonial coral and is commonly known as “sea fan”, which is found off the coasts of West Indies, South Atlantic and also off the Madras coasts.
2. The colony is dimorphic, grows up to 50 cm in height and width, and is usually red in colour.
3 The colony is comprised of a broad, flattened and basal holdfast, a small and thin stalk and a large highly branched fanlike top.
4. The branches are interconnected with each other and form a network, which looks like a fan.
5. Every branch and main stem of colony bears numerous small and retractile anthocodia coming out of small pores on two sides of branches and main stem.
6. The anthocodia bear 8 small and hollow tentacles, few gonads and mesentaries in multiples of eight.
7. Skeleton is made of central axial rod of gorgonin and numerous calcium carbonate spicules.
8. Dried skeletons are horny and proteinous and are used for decoration.