Coral Reefs

Flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and types of corals from the lecture on Coral Reefs.

Hermatypic corals

Reef builders that contain zooxanthellae and are found in warm, shallow waters.

Ahermatypic corals

Corals that do not build reefs and may not contain zooxanthellae.

Coral polyp

The individual coral organism that secretes a calcium carbonate skeleton and can exist in colonies.

Nematocysts

Stinging cells found on the tentacles of cnidarians, including corals, used for capturing prey.

Zooxanthellae

Symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide organic matter to corals through photosynthesis.

Bioerosion

The process by which organisms like parrotfish and sea urchins break down coral structures.

Fringing reefs

The simplest and most common type of coral reef that develops as narrow strips along the shore.

Barrier reefs

Reefs that develop farther from the shore, separated by a deep lagoon.

Atolls

Circular reefs that surround a central lagoon, formed from fringing reefs as volcanic islands erode.

Coral bleaching

A stress response in corals typically caused by high temperatures resulting in the expulsion of zooxanthellae.

Competition on the reef

The struggle for space and light among coral species, leading to various adaptive growth strategies.

Resource partitioning

The process by which species compete for resources by utilizing different feeding strategies or niches.

Predation

The act of one species consuming another; important for regulating coral reef communities.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between species, such as between corals and zooxanthellae, where both benefit.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria found in coral reefs that fix nitrogen, contributing to the reef ecosystem.

Calcareous skeleton

A hard, calcium carbonate structure produced by corals and some other marine organisms.