Corals

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Corals
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Staghorn coral (Acropora Cervicornis) exoskeleton
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Large star coral (Montastrea cavernosa), with
polyps retracted into the cups
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Large star coral with polyps expanded and feeding
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Photograph showing limestone deposits being
mined. The face showing is approximately half
the total thickness of the deposit.
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View of a typical atoll
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Aerial view of coral barrier reefs
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Distribution of corals throughout the world.
Note the narrow geographical distribution.
(Triangles Atolls, Green circles Patch reefs,
Red circles Barrier reefs, Green diamonds
Fringing reefs.)
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Relationship of warm (red) and cold (blue)
currents to distribution of corals.
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The effects of sediments on coral growth. Heavy
silting from dredging operations has decimated
the coral population here.
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Aerial view showing the prolific reef growth on
the wave swept side of an island.
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Coral colony deformed by selective killing of the
polyps on the upper side, caused by silt.
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Colony of rose coral (Manicina areolata) growing
in a heavily silted area.
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In the sunlit upper regions of the water, corals
spread out branches to catch the life-giving rays.
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Close-up view showing how polyps are closely
packed together on the surface of the colonies.
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Photomicrograph of the Zooxanthellae which live
in the tissues of the coral polyp.
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Oolite deposits, showing the remains of ancient
coral growth
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A colony of large star coral (M. cavernosa), with
polyps feeding
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Photograph taken in deep waters to illustrate the
restricted coral growth as compared to more
favorable areas.
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View showing the inside of a reef cave. Note the
complete absence of coral growth.
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Metal artifacts which have survived centuries of
immersion in the sea
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Coral growth shown overhanging unfavorable sandy
bottom conditions
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A large colony of elkhorn coral (Acropora
palmata), which has been upended by local storms
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Overall view of a typical crowded reef tract
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Huge colonies of leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites)
form a massive mound
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A yellow sea fan (Rhipidigorgia flabellum),
growing on the reef.
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Seawhips (Pterogorgia acerosa), with polyps
expanded.
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Sea pen polyps (Pennatula aculeata), shown
expanded.
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Close-up view of a sea fan
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The construction of a coral polyp
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Close-up view of large flower coral (Mussa
angulosa) exoskeleton, showing limestonepartitions
or radiating vertical plates called septa.
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The internal structure of a coral polyp
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The internal septa, or mesenteries, the location
of the gonads, and the process of fertilization
in the coral polyp.
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The methods of asexual budding which occurs in
corals
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Close-up view of flower coral (Eusmilia
fastigiata) exoskeleton, as an example of loosely
connected budding.
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View of a colony of brain coral (Diploria
labyrinthiformis) as an example of a tightly
packed colony.
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View of a colony of star coral (M. cavernosa)
exoskeleton, showing the heavy stony construction.
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A colony of staghorn coral (A. cevicornis), as an
example of budding when the original colony
remains at the apex.
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A colony of elkhorn coral (A. palmata)
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A colony of staghorn coral (A. cervicornis)
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(No Transcript)
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Enlarged view of Madracis decactis exoskeleton (x
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Close-up view of staghorn coral (Acropora
cervicornis)
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Close-up view of elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)
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Close-up view of leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites)
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Close-up view of hat coral (Agaricia fragilis)
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A colony of starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea)
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Porous coral (Porites astreoides) growing in
shallow water
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A colony of P. astreoides growing in deep water.
It is nearly colorless.
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A small colony of finger coral (Porites
furcata)
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A massive specimen of brain coral (Diploria
labyrinthiformis)
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A colony of common brain coral (D.
strigosa), growing in shallow water.
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A colony of spreading brain coral (D. clivosa)
grows on the reef. This particular specimen
tends to be encrusting rather than boulder
forming.
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A small colony of rose coral (Manicina areolata)
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A colony of large star coral (Montastrea
cavernosa)
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A close-up view of dwarf cup coral (Astrangia
solitaria)
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Colony of star coral (Dichocoenia stokesii)
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Close up view of star coral (D. stokesii)
exoskeleton
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Colony of pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)
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A very small colony of large flower coral (Mussa
angulosa)
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Close-up view of a large colony of M. angulosa,
showing how the cups become tightly packed.
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Colony of large cactus coral (Mycetophyllia
lamarckana)
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Close-up view of M. lamarckana exoskeleton
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Colony of flower coral (Eusmilia fastigiata)
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E. Fastigiata colony at night, with polyps
expanded
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False, or stinging coral (Millepora alcicornis)
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Close-up view of false, or stinging, coral
(Millepora alcicornis), showing the polyps.
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A marine reef teeming with fish
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Enlarged view of a coral polyp