Pipe cleaner sea pen

Virgularia presbytes

Family Virgulariidae - sea pens

Distinguishing
Characteristics
Colony of polyps, long rigid narrow like a pen; tubular polyps form 2 rows of fleshy "leaves" that overlap on the ventral side and are fused together at the base of the leaves; leaves are attached to a shaft (rachis); on the dorsal side leaves do not touch; on dorsal side, shaft is bare with a groove down the center; pen narrows at the upper tip; at lower end leaves stop, shaft continues into a stalk (peduncle) for attaching to objects; stalk usually missing on collected specimens.
Similar Species
Most other sea pens have branches instead of leaves, are feather-like and/or are not rigid like this sea pen. Other narrow rigid sea pens with leaves have small fan-like spines supporting the leaves and is rough to the touch. This sea pen is smooth.
Habitat
Gulf, soft bottoms
Maximum Size
unknown
Other Common Names
Previous Scientific Names
Comments
Is a major portion of the diet of loggerhead sea turtles off Texas.