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In this closeup view the individual zooids can be seen. The surface of the colony is covered with circular clusters of groups of elevated zooids with non-elevated zooids between and within the circles.
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Another view also shows the circular groups of clusters of elevated zooecia.
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A dead patch on the colony clearly shows the encrusted tubes the colony is made of
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A Disporella separata colony from 10 m depth, Burrows Channel. The colony is 5 cm across and there are several tubeworms living in it, extending their tentacles. (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2007)
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This photo of a small colony shows some of the individual zooids
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This closer view of the colony shows the live zooids at the tip of a branch extending their lophophores.
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An underwater photo by Kirt Onthank, July 2007
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Heteropora pacifica from 20 m depth, Coffin Rocks (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2005)
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In this view one can see the double (biserial) row of zooecia along the branches, the round apertures without opercula, and the slight curving of the tips of the branches inward. An Ooeciostome, or opening for the reproductive ovicell, can be seen in the center of the central branch near the lower third of the picture. Note that it is a straight, slitlike opening. Several joints can also be seen in the branches, which gives the colony more flexibility.
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This closeup of a branch tip shows several zooids with extended lophophores. Cilia (visible as fuzzy edges to the lophophore tentacles) beat rapidly on the lophophores, creating a strong water current which flows into the center of the lophophore cup and out between the tentacles.
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Crisia occidentalis, about 3 cm tall. (Photo by: Dave Cowles, August 2006)
