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After ocean scientists sort deep-sea coral samples into their different types, they measure and photograph the specimens.
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Photographing Coral Samples

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The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible returns with a specimen of Keratoisis bamboo coral inside its collection box.
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Submersible with Coral Samples

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This 200-year-old bamboo coral colony is growing on the Davidson Seamount. The skeleton has bamboo-like segments.
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Bamboo Coral

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A fan-shaped colony of red coral (Corallium sp.) provides a perch for three basket stars as they feed.
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Red Coral

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Tree corals like this Calyptrophora bayer can grow several meters high and resemble brightly colored trees.
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Red Tree Coral

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The pink strands of this coral harbor a variety of organisms. Sea whips are gorgonian corals, with flexible skeletons.
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Sea Whip Coral

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This bubblegum coral has a fanlike shape. It is growing 1,310 m (4,298 ft) deep on the Davidson Seamount.
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Bubblegum Coral

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: Black corals often resemble bushes or trees. Their living tissue can be one of several colors. It’s the skeleton that is black.
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Black Corals

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Gerardia, or gold coral, species often have a tree-like shape, as evident in this specimen.
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Gold Coral

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: A thicket of Lophelia pertusa, a widespread deep sea coral, shelters a squat lobster.
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Coral Thicket with Lobster

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Red coral necklaces in a display window. Harvesting deep-sea coral to produce jewelry like this threatens these ecosystems.
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Coral for Sale

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Black coral, primnoid coral, and feather stars flourish deep on the pristine Davidson Seamount.
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Diverse Deep-Sea Coral Community

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