White Gorgonian, Muricea Sp.
White Gorgoinia, Muricea Sp. Gorgonian provided by the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, Sepember 2009. Size: 20 cm (7.9 inches) x 16 cm (6.3 inches).
The White Gorgonian, Muricea Sp., is a member of the Plexauridae Family of Gorgonians that is also known as the Orange-tip Gorgonian. They grow in a bush-like clump, instead of a flat plane. The branches are white with orange tips and delicate, with a thorny texture. These White Gorgonians reach a maximum height of 25 cm (10 inches). The White Gorgonian is poorly studied and poorly documented.
These White Gorgonians are found attached to hard surfaces such as coral, rocks, and wrecks, primarily on vertical surfaces. Their range has not been well established but they are known to be found along the southwest coast of Baja from Magdalena Bay south to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, and in the southern portion of the Sea of Cortez.
Some sources show this species as a bi-color variety of Muricea fruticosa.
Request for Help. This identification should be considered tentative due to the very remote location of the collection (Latitude 23oN and Longitude 110oW). I have found very little scientific focus on this area of the world and therefore supporting scientific documentation is not available. I welcome additional information on this coral from anyone who cares to contact me.