Coral Anatomy and Morphology

9/26/01

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Table of Contents

Coral Anatomy and Morphology

Sea Anemone Structure

Mesenteries

A Solitary Coral Polyp

Colonial Coral Polyps

Skeletal Features of Scleractinian Coral

Skeletal Features of a Solitary Corallite

Skeletal Features of a Coral Colony

Skeletal Features of Scleractinian Coral

Tuberculae and Verrucae

Perforate Versus Imperforate

Calyx Arrangements

Solitary

Phaceloid

Plocoid

Ceriod

Meandroid

Thamnasteroid

Colony Growth Forms

Ramose or Branching

Columnar

Massive or Lobate

Laminar or Plate-like

Foliaceous

Encrusting

Free-Living and Solitary

Factors Influencing Coral Colony Morphology

Effects of Water Motion on Colony Growth Form

Effects of Light Intensity on Colony Growth Form

Genetic Differences in Colony Form

Gall Crabs in Lace Coral

Growth Rings in Corals

Growth Rings in Corals

Coral Growth Rates

Author: David A. Krupp

Email: krupp@hawaii.edu

Home Page: krupp.wcc.hawaii.edu