Corals are colonial marine invertebrates within the subphylum Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria. They typically form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Coral species include the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to …

2024年10月15日 · A coral reef is a term used to describe the collective structure of hard corals that help shape a coral reef ecosystem. “A coral reef is a reef whose main structure is made by living organisms, in this case corals,” said Torres-Pérez.

2025年3月20日 · Coral, any of a variety of invertebrate marine organisms of the class Anthozoa that are characterized by skeletons—external or internal—of a stonelike, horny, or leathery consistency. The term coral is also applied to the skeletons of those animals, particularly to those of the stonelike corals.

2024年11月21日 · There are about 6,000 species of coral around the world, with some species growing in warm shallow waters near coastlines and others thriving on the dark, cold seafloor of the open ocean. Though coral may look like a colorful plant growing from roots in the seafloor, it is actually an animal.

This tutorial is an overview of the biology of and threats to coral reefs, as well as efforts being made to conserve and protect them. It includes images, animations, and videos. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.

Corals are invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of colourful and fascinating animals called Cnidaria. Other animals in this group that you may have seen in rock pools or on the beach include jelly fish and sea anemones.

Coral, a sessile animal, relies on its relationship with plant-like algae to build the largest structures of biological origin on Earth. Corals are sessile animals that "take root" on the ocean floor. It's no wonder that many people think corals are plants! Did you know?

2021年11月22日 · Corals form true reefs when they grow close together and deposit layer after layer of limestone, several feet high. Many different kinds of fish depend on coral reefs for food and shelter—places to hide from voracious predators like sharks, groupers and snappers.

2025年3月27日 · Coral diseases, particularly in the Caribbean, have caused major declines in coral populations, especially affecting staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn (A. palmata) corals, which play a ...

Corals are marine animals that resemble miniature sea anemones. They are misunderstood as plants because they don’t move much and they look like trees. People also think that a whole coral colony is an individual organism. In fact, most of the coral colonies are comprised of many small soft, jelly-like bodies of individual animals, called, polyps.