Corals and Mollusks

• Colonial marine invertebrates within the class Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria.

  Corals
• What do corals secrete in order to form hard skeleton?

  Calcium Carbonate
• Form compact colonies of many identical polyps
• • Cylindrical, sac-like structures with a central mouth surrounded by tentacles
  • typically have radial symmetry
  • Its body is composed of two cell layers

  Polyps
• Two cell layers of polyp:

  Outer epidermis

  Inner gastrodermis
• Jelly-like structure that separates outer epidermis from inner gastrodermis

  Mesoglea
• Provides structural support for the colony and protects the polyps from predation and physical damage

  Skeleton
• Influences the growth form, habitat preference, and ecological interactions of corals within reef ecosystems

  Colony morphology
• Corals Morphological form:

  Branching

  Massive

  Columnar

  Free-Living

  Encrusting

  Foliaceous

  Plate-like
• Influenced by the presence of pigments produced by the coral host, as well as symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae

  Coloration
• Occurs through budding, fragmentation, or the formation of the specialized reproductive structures such as gonads or polyp structure


  Asexual reproduction
• Release of eggs and sperm into the water for external fertilization, resulting in the formation of larvae that settle and develop into new colonies

  Sexual reproduction
• Is a genus polyp stony corals recognized for intricate and branching coral structures

  Acropora or Staghorn Coral
• Is a genus of stony corals recognized for massive, dome-shape or branching colonies

  Porites or Brain coral
• Is a genus of stony corals characterized by dome shape or boulder-like colonies, featuring polyps arranged in distinct valleys or ridges on the coral surface

  Favia or Moon coral
• Is a genus of small polyp stony corals, exhibits encrusting, plating, or branching growth forms and showcase vibrant colors

  Montipora or Plating Coral
• Is a genus of small branching stony corals found in tropical and subtropical regions

  Pocillopora or Brush coral
• IS a genus of stony coral characterized by polyps with long, delicate tentacles that extend at night for feeding on plankton

  Goniopora or Flowerpot Coral
• Is a genus of large polyp stony corals characterized by vibrant colors, and unique tentacle formations, and hardiness

  Euphyllia or Torch Coral
• Is a genus of soft corals characterized by fleshy, lobed, or finger-like structures, ranging in color from white to brown or green

  Sarcophyton or Leather coral
• Is a genus of marine animals within the class anthozoa, which includes corals and sea anemones

  Zoanthus or Button polyps
• Is a genus of large polyp stony corals characterized by thick, fleshy polyps, and typically display a massive, encrusting, or columnar growth form

  Lobophyllia or Lobed coral