Near the end of Dive 13 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition, we encountered this mature coral (Metallagorgia sp.) with a snake star deeply entwined within the center of its branches. This was the only Metallagorgia coral seen on the dive, though we did observe several primnoid octocorals, Bathypathes black corals, and Chrysogorgia soft corals..
Coral with Entwined Snake Star
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 1 MB).

Near the end of Dive 13 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition, we encountered this mature coral (Metallagorgia sp.) with a snake star deeply entwined within the center of its branches. This was the only Metallagorgia coral seen on the dive, though we did observe several primnoid octocorals, Bathypathes black corals, and Chrysogorgia soft corals.

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