Autozooid Polyps The polyps known as autozooids have eight pinnate tentacles and eight septae. Their role is to acquire food for the colony. The tentacles capture the prey, primarily planktonic foods from the water column, and move it to the mouth in the center. The eight septae are equal sized compartments with interconnecting channels that distribute the food throughout the colony. Siphonozooid Polyps The second type of polyp is known as siphonozooids. It has reduced tentacles and cilia, along with an oral cavity. Its job is to pump water into the body of the colony, which supplies oxygen and also helps so keep the soft coral erect. All of those available in the lab will belong to unidentified species. Gorgonia We actually just order them by color. One of the lab questions on the next exam will focus on distinguishing between the two, that is hydroid colonies and gorgonians, which are anthozoan colonies.
Autozooid Polyps The polyps known as autozooids have eight pinnate tentacles and eight septae. Their role is to acquire food for the colony. The tentacles capture the prey, primarily planktonic foods from the water column, and move it to the mouth in the center. The eight septae are equal sized compartments with interconnecting channels that distribute the food throughout the colony. Siphonozooid Polyps The second type of polyp is known as siphonozooids. It has reduced tentacles and cilia, along with an oral cavity. Its job is to pump water into the body of the colony, which supplies oxygen and also helps so keep the soft coral erect. All of those available in the lab will belong to unidentified Gorgonia species. We actually just order them by color. One of the lab questions on the next exam will focus on distinguishing between the two, that is hydroid colonies and gorgonians, which are anthozoan colonies.
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