Corals are colonial marine invertebrates within the subphylum Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria. They typically form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Coral species include the …

Nov 4, 2025 · Coral, any of a variety of invertebrate marine organisms of the class Anthozoa that are characterized by skeletons—external or internal—of a stonelike, horny, or leathery consistency.

This tutorial is an overview of the biology of and threats to coral reefs, as well as efforts being made to conserve and protect them. It includes images, animations, and videos.

Nov 21, 2024 · There are about 6,000 species of coral around the world, with some species growing in warm shallow waters near coastlines and others thriving on the dark, cold seafloor of the open …

Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems. They teem with life, with perhaps one-quarter of all ocean species depending on reefs for food and shelter. This is a remarkable statistic when you …

Coral organisms are called polyps, which are very small and soft animals related to jellyfish and sea anemones. Coral polyps are cylindrical shaped, with a mouth at the end that’s surrounded by barbed, …

Millions of people and species of wildlife depend on coral reefs. While climate change threatens their future, science shows that corals can adapt and survive if we keep them healthy.

Coral, a sessile animal, relies on its relationship with plant-like algae to build the largest structures of biological origin on Earth. Corals are sessile animals that "take root" on the ocean floor.

Coralliidae, also known as precious corals, is a taxonomic family of soft corals belonging to the order Scleralcyonacea of the phylum Cnidaria. [1] These sessile corals are one of the most dominant …

Sep 25, 2025 · Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Coral polyps, the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef building colonies, …