Gersemia juliepackardae

Lore & Background

Colonies of Gersemia juliepackardae have an upright main stem attached to the substrate by a holdfast. The stalk of the holotype is 88 mm tall with a width of 40 mm at the base. Lateral branches start just above the holdfast and are borne mostly in two opposite rows, each developing several secondary branchlets near the tip. The non-retractable polyps are tubular, about 5 mm long, with eight tentacles that can be retracted into the polyp body. The basal part of each polyp is white and the tentacular part salmon pink; the holdfast and basal part of the stalk are white, while the rest of the stalk and branches are pink.

The holotype was collected in 2007 from Pioneer Seamount off central California at a depth of approximately 1,000 m. Other specimens were collected from Rodriguez Seamount off southern California at 889 m, off the coast of Oregon at 1,600 m, and off northern Washington at 879 m. Observations from a remotely operated underwater vehicle show that most specimens are attached to rock substrates singly or in small groups, while some grow on dead and living sponges; these may be the first examples known where octocorals in the deep sea are living on sponges.

Reader's Guide

Gersemia juliepackardae is significant as a deep-sea soft coral species named to honor Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, recognizing her dedication to ocean stewardship and conservation and her role in elevating public awareness about the ocean environment. The species was first collected in 2007 from Pioneer Seamount off central California, with additional specimens found at Rodriguez Seamount off southern California, off Oregon, and off northern Washington, at depths ranging from 879 to 1,600 m. Its description provides detailed morphological data, including a holotype stalk height of 88 mm and polyp length of 5 mm, with distinctive white and salmon pink coloration. Notably, observations from a remotely operated vehicle indicate that some specimens grow on dead and living sponges, which may represent the first known examples of octocorals in the deep sea living on sponges. This finding adds to the ecological understanding of deep-sea octocoral habitats and associations.

Did You Know?

• The species is named for Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Polyps are non-retractable, tubular, about 5 mm long, with eight retractable tentacles.
• Some specimens grow on dead and living sponges, possibly the first known deep-sea octocorals living on sponges.