Corals are marine organisms belonging to the class Anthozoa, existing in the form of small polyp-like structures similar to sea anemones, typically living in colonies of identical individuals. These individuals secrete calcium carbonate to form a rigid skeleton, building coral reefs in tropical marine environments.
Corals are actually a type of low-level animal belonging to the phylum Cnidaria.
According to RFI, scientists estimate that there are about 1,200 to 1,300 species of corals worldwide. Half of these species are found in coral reefs. The coral reefs we see are the result of approximately 18,000 to 20,000 years of construction.
Corals typically thrive in shallow, warm waters with swift currents, high temperatures, and cleanliness. Since most corals can sprout and grow, and these sprouts cannot detach from the parent body, they create a connected and communal colony resembling a branching tree, leading to the misconception that corals are plants.
However, in reality, corals are a type of low-level animal belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, possessing two layers of tissue, and usually using tentacles around their mouths to capture prey. Nonetheless, 80% of a coral’s nutritional needs come from the photosynthetic activity of symbiotic single-celled algae. This process also contributes to providing oxygen to the environment. Therefore, some people mistakenly believe that corals are self-nourishing, photosynthetic plants.
Interesting Facts About Corals:
- Corals have existed on our planet for 400 million years.
- Corals are the most diverse ecosystem on Earth to date. They are considered safe havens for over 25% of marine species, including more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 different coral species, and thousands of other marine plants and animals.
- Fish and corals have a close mutualistic relationship in marine life. Fish play a protective role in coral reefs as they provide shelter and habitat. This mutual relationship supports each other’s growth, with corals being crucial partners for some marine organisms.
- Each coral reef is formed from a thin layer of CaCO3 that accumulates over years, made up of billions of tiny soft-bodied animals that scientists study and refer to as coral polyps.
Moment Otters Try to Eat Horn Shark
NASA Tests Interstellar Propulsion System
Mysterious 1,000km Structure Appears on Radar, No One Can See or Access It
