Deep-sea pigtails?

On some of the deepest dives of the expedition, Jason II’s cameras sent up surreal views of an ocean floor studded with what researchers began to call “pigtails.” This deepsea coral’s design seems ideally suited to life on sediment-covered deep-ocean floors, which offer few “holdfasts” such as rocks. These single-stalked chrysogorgias (genus Radicipes) have “roots” that allow them to remain upright in deep sediment where other corals can’t get a foothold, said researcher Doug Woodby. Because they’re narrow, these whip-like corals can wave with the current without being carried away by it; their curlicue design allows them more opportunities to collect food from the passing current. On this expedition, “pigtails” were seen during dives as deep as 3,000 meters. NOAA Fisheries.

Location: From the ocean's depths

Posted 08.03.04 at 4:10 am

On some of the deepest dives of the expedition, Jason II’s cameras sent up surreal views of an ocean floor studded with what researchers began to call “pigtails.” This deepsea coral’s design seems ideally suited to life on sediment-covered deep-ocean floors, which offer few “holdfasts” such as rocks. These single-stalked chrysogorgias (genus Radicipes) have “roots” that allow them to remain upright in deep sediment where other corals can’t get a foothold, said researcher Doug Woodby. Because they’re narrow, these whip-like corals can wave with the current without being carried away by it; their curlicue design allows them more opportunities to collect food from the passing current. On this expedition, “pigtails” were seen during dives as deep as 3,000 meters.