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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Gray sea pen

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean

Emerging from the sand like a living feather, the Gray sea pen offers an inconspicuous but fascinating sight. This colony filters plankton through its many polyps. In darkness, the Gray sea pen can sometimes produce a faint bioluminescent glow.

Habitat de Gray sea pen Habitat
Sand, Detrital bottom
Profondeur de Gray sea pen Depth
10-100 m
Groupe biologique de Gray sea pen Group
Cnidarian
Rôle écologique de Gray sea pen Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This sea pen forms a flexible colony standing vertically in sediment, with an outline resembling an elongated feather. Its central axis carries many small polyps on either side, giving it a characteristic feathery appearance.Its colour varies from pinkish grey to light brown, sometimes with purplish shades depending on lighting and depth. The lower part, called the peduncle, remains buried in sand or mud to anchor the colony.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Pennatula griseum lives on soft seabeds, mainly sandy or muddy ones, sometimes in relatively calm areas where organic particles are abundant.It can be seen alone or in small groups on sedimentary plains. When disturbed, it can partly withdraw into the substrate.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

This colony feeds on plankton and tiny organic particles carried by the current. The polyps extend their tentacles to capture these suspended items.Each polyp contributes to the colony’s collective feeding through an internal network connecting all individuals.

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