What kind of coral is this

Bank reefs in Florida have grown into distinct spur in groove structures, with elongated sections of reef separated by sand spurs. Hardbottom habitats are generally close to shore and are dominated by octocorals, sponges, and algae with low stony coral coverage and low stony coral species diversity.

Patch reef habitats are usually characterized by high diversity of both octocorals and stony corals. A mature patch reef is roughly circular and the perimeter is buttressed by large boulder corals.

Shallow offshore reef Bank Reef habitats are high-energy environments with large branching corals. Expanses of fire coral, Millepora comlanata , and the zoanthid, Palythoa caribaeorum , are also common. Deep offshore reef Bank Reef habitats are inhabited by a diverse array of benthic bottom dwelling organisms including Giant barrel sponges, Xestospongia muta , octocorals, and stony corals.

On Florida's coral reefs there are approximately 50 species of hard corals. Two branching species, Staghorn, Acropora cervicornis , and Elkhorn, Acropora palmate, were formerly abundant in the Florida Keys, but have experienced large scale die-offs over recent years.

There are about 54 species of octocoral in southern Florida. Identifying octocorals by species is difficult and often requires the use of a microscope.

Skip to main content. Report Issues Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Go Outdoors Florida! What are Corals? There are two general categories of coral:. Coral Growth Hard corals come in a variety of growth forms.

Brain Coral. Star Coral. Coral Nutrition Many hard corals, and all hermatypic corals, share a symbiotic relationship, a relationship between two dissimilar organisms, with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae.

Coral Reproduction Hard corals and octocorals can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Hydrocorals and Black Corals Two additional groups of corals are the hydrocorals and the black corals.

Fire Coral. Black Coral overgrown by algae. Coral reefs protect people and land from storms as well, serving as a barrier that reduces the impact of large waves on shore.

The protection of coral reefs is a high priority for many oceanographers and other marine conservationists. National Geographic grantee Tracy Allie Turner is a coral reef scientist who hopes her research on reefs around the South Maldives will convince government leaders to designate more coral reefs as marine protected areas. Further research and protection of coral reefs is important, in large part because the world has lost nearly 20 percent of its coral reefs, with many more reefs under threat today.

Pollution and increasing ocean temperatures are two major causes of coral reef loss—a problem that can have long-reaching effects on humans and marine species alike. Both pollution and warming waters can cause coral bleaching. A process where stressed corals expel their symbiotic algae causing them to turn white. The absence of the zooxanthellae causes the coral to have a more limited access to food and this increases their susceptibility to diseases.

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Soft corals look like colorful plants and unlike hard corals, are not involved in reef-building since they do not produce the hard calcified skeleton necessary.

Staghorn coral is one of the most important types of coral reef species in a coral reef ecosystem. Not only are these reef-building hard corals one of the fastest growing, they also provide a sheltered home to a vast array of marine animals. The Staghorn coral is recognised by its pointed, textured branches which form dense coral gardens usually found in shallow waters. Unfortunately, this does pose a significant threat to the Staghorn coral species, as it is largely affected by global warming, and especially coral bleaching.

These stony reef-building corals grow in colonies across the Indo-Pacific and thrive in shallow coral reefs in depths of up to 20 metres. Leaf Corals grow upwards in an unusual conical shape, and their giant ruffled edges make them look like big cabbages. They feed on plankton and are most commonly found in muted colours such as yellow, green and brown.

The Leaf Coral offers a sheltered habitat for a wide variety of marine life, as reef fish use their large plate-like structures to hide away from predators. Its spectacular antler-like features stand out from other types of coral reef species, and are an impressive sight for any snorkeler or diver. This stony reef-building coral was once considered one of the most abundant corals found on coral reef eco systems throughout the Caribbean. However, the Elkhorn Coral is now a critically endangered species due to global warming and coral bleaching.

However, these are only the skeletons of stony corals, and are only one type of coral that exists. There are also deep water and soft corals. Each of these types of corals is unique structurally and in how they interact with their surroundings.

There are over two thousand different types of coral which form colonies that play a key role in marine environments. Hard coral is a fundamental part of building the coral reef. The polyps of hard corals secrete skeletons of calcium carbonate Limestone , that will eventually become rock.

Hard coral includes species such as brain coral and elkhorn coral. Hard coral are considered to be hermatypes , which are reef-building corals. These corals require a certain type of algae called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues, this important mutualism is necessary for their survival. These organisms are what give corals their colors, which is dependent upon where they are living.

The shape and appearance of each coral are dependent upon its species type, location, depth, water movement, and many other factors.