Gorgonian Fan
The name Sea Fan is used interchangeably with Gorgonian Fan, and most people know this type of coral from the name Sea Fan. The gorgonian fan is one of many species in the Gorgonian family (subclass Octocorallia or Alcyonaria), with close relatives being sea whips, sea plumes, and sea rods.
Gorgonian Cassification
Because the classifications of the Gorgonian family have changed frequently over the years, it is still a matter of debate as to what is termed a Gorgonian sea fan and what is not.
Gorgonian Fan Anchor
The fan anchors its base on unmoving, stable surfaces such as rocks and corals, and the upward growth of the gorgonian fan is supported by a centralized, yet Gorgonian Fan Purpleflexible, pointy, sharp skeleton. Gorgonian fans grow almost exclusively in colonies, which are usually formed and separated among sexes.
Gorgonian Fan Colony
Because the colonies of these gorgonian fans are interconnected through a layer of gel that allows them to share food, the same system can spread easily and rapidly throughout the entire population. The colonies of gorgonian fans must always be upright and aligned perpendicular with the ocean current to secure food- being tipped over is a death sentence.
Gorgonian Fan Reproduction
Gorgonian fans reproduce sexually and asexually, but both processes rely on the ocean currents to be effective. During the gorgonian fans asexual reproduction, a process known as colony fragmentation occurs. A piece of the gorgonian fan colony is broken off or becomes dislodged due to strong ocean currents or a natural storm, and will be carried along the ocean bed by the current until it takes root in a new place and eventually forms a new, separate gorgonian fan colony. Sometimes, the fragmentation process is increased through tissue constrictions on the gorgonian fans branches which make the branch more susceptible to breakage. This type of reproduction is most likely the most important way to Gorgonian Fan Culturecolonize a reef of gorgonian sea fans, because immensely large populations are able to form from one single founder colony.
Gorgonian Fan Mass Spawning
Sexual reproduction occurs during mass spawning events in the gorgonian fan colonies, when eggs and sperm are released simultaneously based on seasonal cycles (i.e. full moons). The eggs and sperm unite, fertilize, and the larvae is released into the ocean current. Initially, the larvae (which are similar to a mini branch of the gorgonian fan) swim on the surface of the water, where it can potentially be eaten by a predator, but after awhile settles down to the bottom of the ocean floor. From this point on, it can settle anywhere there is a sturdy surface, such as a rock or a coral, to which it will attach itself, and grow into a gorgonian fan founder polyp. From this founder polyp, secondary polyps will use budding, a form of asexual reproduction, to form its own branched colony. But sometimes, female gorgonian sea fans will take advantage of male sperm as it floats by in the currents and self fertilize. While the gorgonian fan itself is a peaceful creature but does have enemies, including the flamingo-tongue snails and white frilly sea slugs.
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