#hard corals

[snototter]

A blackside hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) in a stony coral (Acropora grandis), in East Timor, Asia

by Nick Hobgood

[arrecifescoralinos]

Do you know the differences between hard corals and soft corals?

#SealifeSaturday

Learn about that with this infographic that the Reefbites team did! Their differences with symbionts, types of skeletons, number of planes of symmetry in their polyps and more! Enjoy these differences and learn more about Octocorallia and Hexacorallia.

¿Sabes la diferencia entre los Corales duros y los blandos? Aprende sobre esto con esta infografía que realizó el equipo de Reefbites! Aprende sobre sus diferencias en simbiontes, tipos de esqueletos, número de planos de simetría en sus pólipos y mucho más! Disfruta aprendiendo aquí esas diferencias entre Octocorallia y Hexacorallia.

#seacreatures #corals #hecacorallia #octocorallia #hardcorals #softcorals #coralreefs

[oaresearchpaper]

Status, benthic composition and generic diversity of coral resources in Tinabilan Fish and Shell Sanctuary, Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines : Jason G. Tuang-Tuang : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were recognized as an effective strategy to improve the hard coral cover through the reduction of anthropogenic stressors and pressures. With the absence of baseline data on the status of the coral reef community structure in Tinabilan Fish and Shell Sanctuary, the enforced protection and management effectiveness could not be determined. Baseline data on the hard coral cover, taxonomic composition, and benthic community structure were gathered using the enhanced Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method supplemented with the Taxonomic Agglomeration Units (TAUs). The outside stations of the protected area were recorded to have a slightly higher cover and generic diversity of hard corals compared to the inside stations. However, it was revealed during informal interviews that the present location of the MPA was heavily bombarded with illegal fishing activities decades ago. The data suggest that the protection implemented in the MPA may have gradually improved the benthic community structure of the coral reef.

[oaresearchpaper]

Coral reefs of the Tres Marias Islets provide habitat for diverse marine organisms and significantly contribute to the economic activities in Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines. Unfortunately, no comprehensive and detailed study was conducted to determine the status of the hard coral and the reef-associated benthic resources in Tres Marias Islets, particularly, Tabuk Islet being a marine protected area. Baseline coral resources assessment was done in randomly identified stations in the Tres Marias Islets. The modified Reef Check methodology was used to determine the percentage covers and generic diversity based on the Taxonomic Agglomeration Units (TAUs). Tabuk Islet had the highest hard coral cover and generic diversity than the other two Islets. Four Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) hard coral species were recorded in Tres Marias Islets. Furthermore, a coral bleaching event was observed in the area and reported officially in this study. The findings of this study highlight the effectiveness of the establishment of a marine protected area in the growth and recruitment of reef-building corals.

[oaresearchpaper]

Coral reefs of the Tres Marias Islets provide habitat for diverse marine organisms and significantly contribute to the economic activities in Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines. Unfortunately, no comprehensive and detailed study was conducted to determine the status of the hard coral and the reef-associated benthic resources in Tres Marias Islets, particularly, Tabuk Islet being a marine protected area. Baseline coral resources assessment was done in randomly identified stations in the Tres Marias Islets. The modified Reef Check methodology was used to determine the percentage covers and generic diversity based on the Taxonomic Agglomeration Units (TAUs). Tabuk Islet had the highest hard coral cover and generic diversity than the other two Islets. Four Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) hard coral species were recorded in Tres Marias Islets. Furthermore, a coral bleaching event was observed in the area and reported officially in this study. The findings of this study highlight the effectiveness of the establishment of a marine protected area in the growth and recruitment of reef-building corals.

[wemdashikurfan-blog]

A Rapid marine biodiversity assessment of the coral reefs in morales Beach_ Benoni_ Glan_ Sarangani Province_ Philippine | JBES

By: Justin Rhea M. Bandiola, Chenny Rose M. Rodriguez, Ralph Jan G. Saluna, Bencel John B. Robles, Hazel Kareen C. Villacanas, Mark Anthony J. Torres, Maria Luisa N. Cabrera, Elani A. Requieron Key Words: Coral reef ecosystem, Hard corals, Point intercept transect, Physico-chemical parameters, Shannon diversity index

A Rapid marine biodiversity assessment of the coral reefs in morales Beach, Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province, Philippine By: Justin Rhea M. Bandiola, Chenny Rose M. Rodriguez, Ralph Jan G. Saluna, Bencel John B. Robles, Hazel Kareen C. Villacanas, Mark Anthony J. Torres, Maria Luisa N. Cabrera, Elani A. Requieron Key Words: Coral reef ecosystem, Hard corals, Point intercept transect, Physico-chemical parameters, Shannon diversity index J. Bio. Env. Sci. 8(2) , 233-239, February 2016. Abstract

[gracenotesfrommonteverde]

Order Scleractinia : Hard corals

Geographic distribution: Everywhere

Diet: Plankton

Predators: Fish, invertebrates

Other: Hard corals secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton, which over time develops large reefs and atolls. They reproduce sexually by releasing gametes into the water column, or asexually by budding. They have symbols called zooxanthellae, photosynthetic protists which provide corals with the majority of their nutrients, and in return receive nutrients from the corals waste products, and protection. Zooxanthellae are very important symbionts to corals, as they help corals cycle nutrients efficiently and extract as many nutrients as possible from nutrient poor waters. Hard corals are threatened by global warming, as warmer waters promote algal growth. Algae can completely cover corals, preventing their zooxanthellae from photosynthesizing. Also, in warm waters, corals expel their zooxanthellae. Both these factors contribute to bleaching of entire coral reefs. If corals are bleached (a.k.a. have no zooxanthellae) for too long, they will die because of nutrient deficiencies. It is possible for zooxanthellae to return to a bleached coral if conditions improve.

(Photos do not belong to me)

[bluecheeseisnotahappycheese]

Candy corals from work o(^_^)o