Spotlight: Phosphorescent sea pen


SPECIES SPOTLIGHT:


PHOSPHORESCENT SEA PEN


(Pennatula phosphorea)


Sea pens are colonial animals that are made up of many anemone-like ‘polyps’, each of which


have a specific role within the colony.


Sea pens are named for their resemblance to old-fashioned quill pens that were made from the flight feathers of large birds.


Growing up to 40cm long, phosphorescent sea pens luminesce in a blue-green colour when disturbed as a defence mechanism to startle predators.


Phosphorescent sea


pens are a favourite food of Dover sole, despite studies showing that they have narcotic and appetite-diminishing properties.


Three species of sea pen can be found in the mud of Scotland’s sea lochs, where they trap plankton and other small food particles in the water column.


NOVEMBER 2020 SCOTTISH WILDLIFE 5


© Paul Naylor


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