Cockscomb Cup Coral [Desmophyllum pertusum]
Description
The Cockscomb Cup Coral, also known as the Desmophyllum pertusum, is a deep-sea stony coral species in the family Caryophylliidae. It is found worldwide in deep, cold waters, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. This coral forms solitary polyps or clusters on hard substrates, often on steep or vertical slopes. The polyps are large, up to 5 cm in diameter, and have a distinctive curved shape that resembles a cock's comb.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Scallops
Pectinida
|
| Family |
Scallops
Pectinidae
|
| Genus |
Cockscomb
Chlamys
|