#ahermatypic

[er-cryptid]

Coral Physiology

-- cnidarians

-- capture food with stinging cells called cnidocytes

-- related closely with sea anemones and jellyfish

-- live entire adult lives as polyps

-- polyps are sessile

-- polyps tend to be simple in appearance

-- two categories      -- ahermatypic           -- soft corals           -- do not build reefs      -- hermatypic           -- hard corals           -- build reefs

[hawaiianmerman]

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Why is it bad to standing reefs? #askthemerman #marinebiology #marineconservation #coral #marinebiologist #scleractinian #ahermatypic #fungia #hawaii