Introduction
Commonly mistaken as a plant or a rock, corals are animals. Most corals are made of tens to thousands of identical animals called polyps. These polyps live in a colonial network that makes up what you think of when you hear the word “coral.” Each polyp has the ability to capture prey, digest and poop it, and reproduce all on its own. Corals are in the phylum Cnidaria and are closely related to the well-known true jellyfish. The name Cnidaria is derived from the Latin Greek word “knide,” which translates to “nettle.” This “nettle” is in reference to the stinging cells that all cnidarians possess, called “cnidocytes.” Corals house these stinging cells in their tissue and their tentacles, much like jellyfish. Many corals live in shallow, sunny waters due to their symbiotic relationship with Symbiodiniaceae (simbio-denise-e-aye), a single-celled algae. These algal symbionts are housed inside coral tissue and photosynthesize—like all plants. The algae gives most of the products of photosynthesis (energy and sugars) to the coral host and in return gets a safe home from predators and food for photosynthesis (carbon dioxide from the coral animal). There are non-symbiotic corals that live deeper in the ocean where sunlight does not reach. These animals have no need for symbiotic algae and rely entirely on catching prey in the water with their tentacles.
A myriad of corals, specifically stony corals (scleractinans), make up the colorful reef habitat. Similar to a myriad of shrubs and trees making up a rainforest. Coral reefs only occupy 1% of the ocean floor but house almost 25% of all marine life. Without these habitats created by corals, many charismatic and beneficial animals cease to exist, including sharks, sea turtles, delicious seafood, and many, many more creatures. Coral reefs act as a first line of defense against hurricanes and tropical storms for coastal environments by bracing storm impact. Without these barriers, these natural disasters become much more damaging. Coral reefs also provide large economic benefits to coastal villages and tourism. If you care about the ocean and its inhabitants in any way, you care about corals.
Zeusinc Reefs 