Embedded Files
Thesea nivea
Thesea nivea
(White Eye Sea Spray)
(White Eye Sea Spray)
1. In situ (Greg McFall)
2. In situ - Close up of polyps (Greg McFall)
3. In situ - Picture shows Thesea nivea with and without polyps retracted (Greg McFall)
4. In situ - Two younger colonies of Thesea nivea are on each side of tubular horn bryozoan, Schizoporella floridana (Greg McFall)
5. Out of water (Steve Vives)
6. Out of water (Steve Vives)
Size
Colony height: 15-45cm (6-18") Branch diameter: 0.5-1.5cm (0.25-0.5")
Recognition Characters
Colonies form irregular branching pattern. Generally grow in singular plane. Can have bushy appearance when polyps extend.
Color
Branches are yellow-brown to reddish brown or dark purple. Extended polyps are red to pink, often with white centers.
Habitat & Depth
Colonize areas of rocky outcroppings and hard bottoms. Also wrecks. 20-400m deep.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common at GRNMS.
Geographic Range
Georgia, Florida, Eastern Caribbean
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Humann 1992b
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