Stony Coral (Noun)
Meaning
Corals having calcareous skeletons aggregations of which form reefs and islands.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Stony coral colonies form the framework of coral reefs, providing a habitat for numerous other species.
- The vibrant colors of stony corals are contributed by algal photosynthesizers known as zooxanthellae that live within their tissues.
- The growth rates of stony corals can vary greatly depending on factors such as light, water temperature, and nutrient availability.
- Some stony coral species have evolved specialized defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators and competitors.
- Massive aggregations of stony coral colonies can form large reef structures that provide shoreline protection and support commercial fisheries.