Brain coral (Platygyra sp.). This hard coral is named for its convoluted skeleton that resembles the surface of a brain. It is also known as a maze coral. Corals consist of colonies of small animals called polyps,which feed by filtering plankton from the passing water current. Brain coral colonies can measure up to 1 metre in diameter. Hard coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate,which forms a protective skeleton around them. When a polyp dies the skeleton remains and new polyps grow on top of it,forming a coral reef | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Downer, Nigel |
Bildgröße: | 5041 px × 3466 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |