Desmophyllum
Desmophyllum is a genus of stony corals in the family Caryophylliidae. They are colonial corals, meaning they live in groups of many individual polyps, and are characterized by their long, slender, cylindrical shape, sometimes referred to as “tube corals”. These corals are generally found in cold, deep waters, often in areas with strong currents.
Common Names
Desmophyllum species are commonly referred to as "tube corals" due to their shape.
Characteristics
Desmophyllum corals are characterized by:
- Colonial growth: They form colonies of individual polyps connected by a common tissue.
- Slender, cylindrical shape: Their polyps are long and thin, often resembling tubes.
- Calcareous skeleton: They have a hard, stony skeleton made of calcium carbonate.
- Solitary or branching growth: Some species grow as solitary polyps, while others form branching colonies.
- Large polyp size: Individual polyps can be quite large, reaching several centimeters in length.
- Presence of tentacles: Like other corals, they have tentacles around their mouths that they use to capture food.
Environments
Desmophyllum species are found in a variety of cold, deep-water environments, including:
- Continental slopes: They often inhabit the slopes of continents, where they are exposed to strong currents.
- Abyssal plains: Some species can be found in the deep, flat areas of the ocean floor known as abyssal plains.
- Seamounts: They can also be found on seamounts, which are underwater mountains.
- Cold-water coral reefs: They are important members of cold-water coral reef ecosystems.
References
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