During Seascape Alaska 3 Dive 07, we observed this unusual non-branching basket star, tucked in a (dark pink) bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) at 760 meters (2,490 feet). Unlike other members of the family Gorgonocephalidae, which are known for their often dramatically bifurcating and branching arms, this basket star, Astrochele laevis, exhibits no branching in its arms and thus is referred to as a “simple” basket star. But it’s just as beautiful!
Basket Star
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska. Download larger version (jpg, 1.3 MB).

During Seascape Alaska 3 Dive 07, we observed this unusual non-branching basket star, tucked in a (dark pink) bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) at 760 meters (2,490 feet). Unlike other members of the family Gorgonocephalidae, which are known for their often dramatically bifurcating and branching arms, this basket star, Astrochele laevis, exhibits no branching in its arms and thus is referred to as a “simple” basket star. But it’s just as beautiful!

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