Corals Flashcards
Phylum and class
Cnidaria,
Anthozoa
Skeleton
Calcium carbonate, modern aragonite, fossil calcite, more stable
Describe morphology of a coral
Polyp is soft bodies organism, secretes calcium carbonate skeleton, corallum is whole skeleton, may be solitary or colonial
What are septa?
Vertical plates, radially dividing corallite skeleton, may be major or minor and give skeleton strength
What are dissepiments?
Curved plates connected to septa and tabulae
What are tabula?
Horizontal plates dividing the skeleton
What morphological features are present in Rugose?
Extinct, either solitary or colonial. Epithets wrinkled in solitary, horn shaped. Large, no mural pores plane of bilateral symmetry vertically
Distinguished by septa, initially 6 new septa added in spaces.
Always have columella, may have dissepiments
What are the morphological features of tabulate coral?
Extinct, colonial, developed tabulae. Usually small, mural pores may be present. Radial summery, may have dissepiments, no columella
Why are the morphological features of tabulate corals?
Solitary or colonial, form reefs today. Small, no mural pores, radial symmetry six primary septa are distinct, evenly distributed
Rugose: Geological range? Tabulae? Corralites? Dissepiments? Symmetry? Columella? Septa? Colonial/solitary? Mural pores?
Ordivician-Permian Always Large May be present Bilateral symmetry Always 6 Major septa, 4 sets of minor Either None
Tabulate: Geological range? Tabulae? Corralites? Dissepiments? Symmetry? Columella? Septa? Colonial/solitary? Mural pores?
Cambrian-Permian Yes Small None or poor Radial Not present Poor or none Colonial May be present
Sclerectinian: Geological range? Tabulae? Corralites? Dissepiments? Symmetry? Columella? Septa? Colonial/solitary? Mural pores?
Triassic-now Always present Many small Always Hexagonal radial May be present 6 major septa, evenly spread Either None
What is the mode of life of corals?
Some have algae in symbiotic relationship- zooxanthellae, photosynthesise, waste used by corals, waste from corals used by algae.
What is the soft tissue of a coral?
Soft tissue not preserved, polo, sits on top it secretes skeleton, or calicehas tentacles, extend for feeding with stinging cells, or trapped in mucus, passed to mouth, into guy, waste removed from mouth
What conditions are required for good coral growth?
Can be found in all seas but reef are specific 30 degrees north and south of equator At or just below sea level, photic zone Clear waters for sunlight Water free from particles that may clog High energy levels for oxygen Fully marine salinity 30-40 Temp between 23 am 27
