Primnoidae

Primnoidae is a family of deep-sea octocorals, characterized by intricate and bush-like growth forms. They belong to the phylum Cnidaria and are commonly known as primnoids. Members of the Primnoidae family can be found in oceanic waters all over the world, typically inhabiting regions with strong currents and some form of substrate for growth.

They exhibit a wide variety of colors, often with shades of pink and orange dominating their appearance. Primnoids grow by adding new polyps, the functional units of their body, at the distal end of their branches. The coral part of the colony functions in the same way as other octocorals, emitting chemicals that could potentially be used for eating or defense against digestion by predators, such as the consumption of bacteria.

Primnoids are able to thrive at very high pressures, and the growth rates of deep-water species have been estimated to be quite high, with some growing up to 3 centimeters over 10 days. The longevity of the polyps can be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few years, depending on the environmental conditions, and this varies greatly between the different species within the family.

The name Primnoidae, the family of these organisms, comes from the genus Prima, with the suffix '-noidae' added to form the typical Cnidarian family name. The first fossil record appears in the late Jurassic and it has continued to speciate to the present day, with studies indicating new species being encountered even in relatively recently surveyed areas.