Coral reef structure

The Coral Reef Fossil.

montipora capricornis

Anatomy of a coral polyp. When alive, corals are colonies of small animals embedded in calcium carbonate shells. Coral heads consist of accumulations of individual animals called polyps, arranged in diverse shapes.[57] Polyps are usually tiny, but they can range in size from a pinhead to 12 inches (30 cm) across.

Coral reproduction modes

Image 20 of 22 from gallery of Rethinking Artificial Reef Structures through 3D Clay Printing. © Vriko Yu

Students: Alaina Marra, Daria Agapitova Drawing: Site plan of artificial coral reef aggregated to show porous structure below the water that becomes a place for animal habitats

The Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) is a fast-growing coral easily identified by its complex branching structure composed of colonies of dense stands forming interlocking thickets. This structure makes it resemble elk antlers. It is mostly found in the Caribbean and Bahamas very close to the shoreline. Downloads online #corals #invertebrates #animals

The image is a close-up of a colorful, organic-looking structure. It could be a coral reef, a sponge, or a highly magnified view of some other type of organism. The colors are vibrant and saturated, and the structure appears to be wet or glistening. The image is both beautiful and fascinating, and it invites viewers to imagine what it might be.