Gorgonin

Gorgonin is a complex protein that makes up the horny skeleton of the holaxonia suborder of gorgonians. It frequently contains appreciable quantities of bromine, iodine, and tyrosine. Research has shown that measurements of the gorgonin and calcite within species of gorgonia can be useful in paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. Studies of the growth, composition, and structure of the skeleton of certain gorgonia species, (e.g., Primnoa resedaeformis, and Plexaurella dichotoma) can be highly correlated with seasonal and climactic variation.