Taxonomy of hard corals: Classification and identification

Viswambharan, Divya and Anto, Alvin and Sreenath, K R (2025) Taxonomy of hard corals: Classification and identification. In: Course Manual:ICAR Sponsored Short course on Integrated Taxonomic techniques for Marine Biodiversity Conservation. CMFRI Training Manual Series (48). ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, pp. 195-207.

Text CMFRI Training Manual Series No. 48_2025_Divya Viswambharan.pdf Download (12MB)

Abstract

Scleractinian corals, commonly known as hard corals, are invertebrates found exclusively in marine ecosystems. They belong to the class Anthozoa and order Scleractinia and are characterized by their calcium carbonate exoskeletons, which provide structural rigidity. They are the keystone species of coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," due to their extraordinary biodiversity. The hard corals primarily exist as solitary or in colonial forms. The colonial organisms are composed of thousands of individual polyps. Each polyp secretes a calcium carbonate skeleton that connects with others, forming intricate reef structures.

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