The zooxanthellae live within the polyps and produce organic material, most of which is transferred back to the coral tissue (providing energy to the coral). Many reef-building corals with access to sunlight also share a symbiotic relationship with a single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. (Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Deep-Sea Symphony: Exploring the Musicians Seamounts.)Īll corals are comprised of polyp colonies. (Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2017 Laulima O Ka Moana.)Īt almost 1,800 meters (5,095 feet) deep on Mendelssohn Seamount, scientists came across this dense garden of unusually large pink corals. A variety of soft octocorals were found on the East “Wetmore” Seamount near Hawaii at around 2,065 meters deep (6,775 feet). When a coral reef is damaged by a storm, pollution, or by other factors, it may take a significant amount of time before it is able to recover and grow to its former size. Soft corals grow at a rate of two to four centimeters per year. Hard corals can grow as much as ten centimeters per year, the same rate of growth as human hair, but most only grow up to three centimeters each year. Soft corals bind together on a softer structure, and can take the shapes of whips, spirals, and trees. They can take a rounded, branching, or flat appearance. Hard corals have a limestone skeleton, and make up the foundation of a coral reef. All corals are classified as either “hard corals” or “soft corals”. Learn more about these fascinating animals below!Ĭorals exhibit some plant-like characteristics, but are actually animal relatives of jellyfish and anemones. Both are sessile (non-moving) organisms, serve as vital resources for other marine life, and can indicate the health of oceanic ecosystems. Despite being frequently encountered by scientists aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, E/V Nautilus, and other exploration vessels, much is left to learn about corals and sponges.
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