Sea pen genus Veretillum

1 July 2011 04:31 pm Views - 2841

A handout picture taken recently and received on June 30, 2011 from the California Academy of Sciences shows a new species of the sea pen genus Veretillum taken during the California Academy of Sciences 2011 marine survey in the Philippines. The animal is only seen at night, when it emerges from the sand and extends the star-like polyps to feed on microscopic plankton in the water. The California Academy of Sciences said it discovered more than 300 previously unknown animals and plants during a recent 42-day marine and land survey of the vast but ecologically threatened Southeast Asian archipelago.  AFP PHOTO / HO / GARY WILLIAMS / CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES