Faviidae
The Faviidae are a family of stony corals, commonly known as brain corals or lobed corals. They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Faviidae corals are characterized by their hard, stony skeletons, which are typically formed into rounded, lobed, or brain-like shapes. They are often brightly colored, exhibiting hues of brown, green, orange, pink, and purple.
Characteristics
Faviidae corals are colonial organisms, meaning they are composed of many individual polyps that live together in a colony. Each polyp has a central mouth surrounded by tentacles, which are used to capture prey. The polyps secrete calcium carbonate, which forms the hard, stony skeleton that provides structural support for the colony. The skeletons of Faviidae corals often exhibit distinctive grooves and ridges, which give them their characteristic brain-like appearance.
Faviidae corals are also notable for their ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs through the release of sperm and eggs into the water, where fertilization takes place. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding, where new polyps are produced from existing polyps.
Environments
Faviidae corals are typically found in shallow, clear waters, where they can access sunlight for photosynthesis. They are often found on reefs, where they form important components of the reef ecosystem. Some species of Faviidae corals can tolerate high levels of sedimentation and nutrient pollution, making them relatively resilient to environmental changes.
Common Names
The common names for Faviidae corals vary depending on the species and region. Some common names include:
- Brain coral
- Lobed coral
- Grooved coral
- Pavement coral
- Star coral