Corals

Staghorn coral (Acropora Cervicornis) exoskeleton

Large star coral (Montastrea cavernosa), with polyps retracted into the cups

Large star coral with polyps expanded and feeding

Photograph showing limestone deposits being mined. The face showing is approximately half the total thickness of the deposit.

View of a typical atoll

Aerial view of coral barrier reefs

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.)

Relationship of warm (red) and cold (blue)

currents to distribution of corals.

The effects of sediments on coral growth. Heavy silting from dredging operations has decimated the coral population here.

Aerial view showing the prolific reef growth on the wave swept side of an island.

Coral colony deformed by selective killing of the polyps on the upper side, caused by silt.

Colony of rose coral (Manicina areolata)

growing in a heavily silted area.

In the sunlit upper regions of the water, corals spread

out branches to catch the life-giving rays.

Close-up view showing how polyps are closely packed together on the surface of the colonies.

Photomicrograph of the Zooxanthellae which

live in the tissues of the coral polyp.

Oolite deposits, showing the remains of ancient coral growth

A colony of large star coral (M. cavernosa), with polyps feeding

Photograph taken in deep waters to illustrate the restricted

coral growth as compared to more favorable areas.

View showing the inside of a reef cave. Note the

complete absence of coral growth.

Metal artifacts which have survived centuries of immersion in the sea

Coral growth shown overhanging unfavorable sandy bottom conditions

A large colony of elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata),

which has been upended by local storms

Overall view of a typical crowded reef tract

Huge colonies of leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites)

form a massive mound

A yellow sea fan (Rhipidigorgia flabellum), growing on the reef.

Seawhips (Pterogorgia acerosa), with polyps expanded.

Sea pen polyps (Pennatula aculeata), shown expanded.

Close-up view of a sea fan

The construction of a coral polyp

Close-up view of large flower coral (Mussa angulosa) exoskeleton, showing limestonepartitions or radiating vertical plates called septa.

The internal structure of a coral polyp

The internal septa, or mesenteries, the location of the

gonads, and the process of fertilization in the coral polyp.

The methods of asexual budding which occurs in corals

Close-up view of flower coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) exoskeleton,

as an example of loosely connected budding.

View of a colony of brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis)

as an example of a tightly packed colony.

View of a colony of star coral (M. cavernosa) exoskeleton,

showing the heavy stony construction.

A colony of staghorn coral (A. cevicornis), as an example of

budding when the original colony remains at the apex.

A colony of elkhorn coral (A. palmata)

A colony of staghorn coral (A. cervicornis)

Enlarged view of Madracis decactis exoskeleton (x 24)

Close-up view of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)

Close-up view of elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)

Close-up view of leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites)

Close-up view of hat coral (Agaricia fragilis)

A colony of starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea)

Porous coral (Porites astreoides) growing in shallow water

A colony of P. astreoides growing in deep water.

It is nearly colorless.

A small colony of finger coral (Porites furcata)

A massive specimen of brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis)

A colony of common brain coral

(D. strigosa), growing in shallow water.

A colony of spreading brain coral (D. clivosa) grows on the reef. This particular specimen tends to be encrusting rather than boulder forming.

A small colony of rose coral (Manicina areolata)

A colony of large star coral (Montastrea cavernosa)

A close-up view of dwarf cup coral (Astrangia solitaria)

Colony of star coral (Dichocoenia stokesii)

Close up view of star coral (D. stokesii) exoskeleton

Colony of pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)

A very small colony of large flower coral (Mussa angulosa)

Close-up view of a large colony of M. angulosa, showing how the cups become tightly packed.

Colony of large cactus coral (Mycetophyllia lamarckana)

Close-up view of M. lamarckana exoskeleton

Colony of flower coral (Eusmilia fastigiata)

E. Fastigiata colony at night, with polyps expanded

False, or stinging coral (Millepora alcicornis)

Close-up view of false, or stinging, coral (Millepora alcicornis), showing the polyps.

A marine reef teeming with fish

Enlarged view of a coral polyp