Clavularia frankliniana Roule, 1902
provided by British Antarctic Survey
Description
Forms colonies of small, eight-tentacled polyps which are usually white and up to 1cm high.
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Species distribution
12 to around 600m, on hard substrates from Sub-Antarctica to the Antarctic Peninsula and Continent.
Clavularia frankliniana is a suspension feeder, mostly on matter resuspended from the sea-floor, and is preyed on by sea spiders and nudibranchs such as Tritoniella belli. It contains compounds which deter most potential predators. Despite this T. belli not only feeds on it but appears to store and re-use these deterrent compounds in it's own defense.
Clavularia frankliniana reproduces throughout the year, both by releasing larvae and by asexual fission.
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