New Christmas Tree Coral

Scientists recently discovered the Christmas tree coral (Antipathes dendrochristos) off the southern California coast.
(Mark Amend, NOAA)

Ocean scientists recently discovered this new species of black coral off the coast of southern California. It was named the “Christmas tree” coral, Antipathes dendrochristos, in 2005 because of its large size and resemblance to a white flocked Christmas tree. Explore deep-sea corals more in the multimedia feature Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea.  

Tags: Corals