Читать книгу Diving Indonesia Periplus Adventure Guid онлайн

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There" are many species of these animals. Some have a twig-like structure, like a branch from a delicate tree. Many are brightly colored. The sea fans (Melithaeidae and Plexauridae) are flat nets, growing in some cases to three meters across. The skeleton of a sea fan is coated with a kind of "rind," which is sometimes a delicate shade. When you see a big gorgonian it is worth spending a few moments looking closely at its surface because they often host an assortment of small symbiotic animals.

Sea pens. These animals (order Pennatulacea) are filter-feeders related to the gorgonians. Their common name comes from their resemblance to the old-fashioned quill pen. Although common in Indonesia, they are not really reef dwellers, and will usually only be seen by night divers who venture out over mud or sand bottoms. Sea pens, sometimes growing in large fields, rotate gently back and forth with the current, their "feathers" sifting plankton from the current.

Closeup of the lovely soft coral Dendronephthya. In this photograph the strengthening spicules are clearly visible in the animals ' transparent tissue.