Phylum Cnidaria
GORGONIANS (local) (Various species)
Habitat: Attached to rocks in rocky reefs below low-tide line. Found from Southern California to Baja California.
Size: Height from 25 cm (10 in) to 90 cm (3 ft)
Position in food web: Carnivorous: Filter feed on micro-zooplankton. Prey for several species of snails.
Interesting facts:
Gorgonians are a type of soft coral found worldwide
About 500 different species are found in shallow waters worldwide, mostly in tropical waters
Some gorgonians have a symbiotic relationship with the algae zooxanthellae, which allows them nutrition via photosynthesis. However, most sea fans use polyps to filter feed for nutrition.
Relatives: Sea anemones, sea jellies, and corals
MOON JELLY (Aurelia aurita)
Habitat: Open ocean, worldwide.
Size: Medusa stage: 40cm (15 in);
Polyp stage: 1.5cm (0.5 in)
Position in food web: Carnivorous: Feeds on zooplankton. Prey for birds and a variety of fish species including rockfish and the California sunfish (Mola mola).
Interesting facts:
Like other cnidarians, moon jelly tentacles are covered with stinging structures called nematocysts, which are used for defense as well as for collecting food.
The moon jelly is considered mildly toxic and can sometimes cause a rash when humans come in contact with them, however they are not dangerous.
The gut of the moon jelly, seen as the four semi-circles in the center of the jelly, appears orange and more pronounced after feeding on brine shrimp.
Must constantly produce nematocysts after using them for defense or feeding.
Relatives: Sea anemones, corals, and other jellies such as the Portuguese man-of-war