The mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) is one of the most common animals we see in the depths off the central coast of California. They are abundant on the jagged walls of Monterey Canyon and the rocky slopes of local seamounts. Fast currents running along the bottom can carry an abundance of plankton and other tiny bits of food. Heteropolypus extends delicate tentacles into the currents to snag a feast. When their tentacles are extended, they resemble a beautiful flower. When the tentacles are pulled in, they look more like their namesake-mushrooms.
The abundance of mushroom soft corals and their diverse relationships with other bottom-dwelling animals tell us they are an important part of the seafloor community. But the intimate interactions among deep-sea animals only become apparent when we conduct regular surveys. We cannot protect what we do not understand. Our research is helping improve our baseline understanding of the largest environment on Earth, even if our encounters sometimes yield more questions than answers.
We still have a lot to learn about Heteropolypus, including how a changing seafloor environment will impact them and their neighbors. But we do know that a healthy ocean is one of the best ways to fight climate change. We must act quickly to safeguard Heteropolypus and other denizens of the deep. Understanding how our actions affect the ocean is an important first step. Share what you have learned, and help us grow our community of ocean champions. Together, we can protect the remarkable residents of the ocean’s depths.
Learn more about this deep-sea coral: www.mbari.org/animal/mushroom...
Explore MBARI’s Animals of the Deep gallery: mbari.co/AnimalsOfTheDeep
Script writer: Heidi Cullen, Larissa Lemon
Editor: Ted Blanco
Narrator: Larissa Lemon
Motion Graphics: Madeline Go
Production team: Heidi Cullen, Madeline Go, Larissa Lemon, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun
Music: 7 Days To Create A Universe [ Minimal Documentary Marimba Cinematic ], by Volodymyr Piddubnyk
Video clip at 2:22 courtesy of Monterey Bay Aquarium
References:
Barry, J.P., H.G. Greene, D.L. Orange, C.H. Baxter, B.H. Robison, R.E. Kochevar, J.W. Nybakken, D.L. Reed and C.M. McHugh (1996). Biologic and geologic characteristics of cold seeps in Monterey Bay, California. Deep Sea Research Part I, 43(11-12): 1739-1755, 1757-1762. doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(96)00075-1
Bessho-Uehara, M., W.R. Francis, and S.H.D. Haddock (2020). Biochemical characterization of diverse deep-sea anthozoan bioluminescence systems. Marine Biology, 167(8): 1-19. doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03706-w
Kogan, I., C.K. Paull, L.A. Kuhnz, E.J. Burton, S. von Thun, H.G. Greene, and J.P. Barry (2006). ATOC/Pioneer Seamount cable after 8 years on the seafloor: Observations, environmental impact. Continental Shelf Research, 26(6): 771-781. doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2006.01.010
Lundsten, L., J.P. Barry, G.M. Cailliet, D.A. Clague, A.P. DeVogelaere, and J.B. Geller (2009). Benthic invertebrate communities on three seamounts off southern and central California, USA. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 374: 23-32. doi.org/10.3354/meps07745
Martini, S., L. Kuhnz, J. Mallefet, and S.H.D. Haddock (2019) Distribution and quantification of bioluminescence as an ecological trait in the deep sea benthos. Scientific Reports, 9: 14654. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50961-z
Follow MBARI on social media:
Facebook: / mbarinews
Twitter: / mbari_news
Instagram: / mbari_news
Tumblr: / mbari-blog
LinkedIn: / mbari-monterey-bay-aqu...
And now, TikTok: / mbari_news