Suborder Gorgoniacea is a taxonomic classification for a group of marine organisms that belong to the phylum Cnidaria. The members of this suborder are commonly known as sea fans, whip corals or gorgonians. These organisms have a branching structure that resembles a fan or a whip and are covered in tiny polyps that filter food particles from the surrounding water.
There are several synonyms for Suborder Gorgoniacea, including Alcyonacea, Octocorallia, and Gorgonidae. These synonyms reflect different taxonomic classifications of the same group of marine organisms based on their morphological and genetic characteristics.
Despite the differences in their taxonomic classifications, all these groups comprise some of the most beautiful and diverse organisms found in the ocean and play an important role in maintaining the marine ecosystem.