Brain Coral Information

Brain coral are small, polyp-like creatures that form a hard, exoskeleton in patterns that look like a human brain. Over hundreds of years, colonies of these creatures form coral reefs, which are huge groups of various species of coral. They feed on algae and small animal tissues that drift through ocean currents. They are related to jellyfish, sea anemones and other species of coral.

Identification

Brain Coral

Brain coral are shaped like semi-circular domes attached to rocky bottoms along the ocean floor. They live in large colonies measuring over 1.5 feet made up of small, soft animals that secrete a hard, calcified shell. Brain coral is very difficult to remove, earning the nickname stony coral. Because of its resilience, it can resist the onslaught brought by hurricanes. Brain coral provide shelter for animals like fish and other coral.

Biology

Mozgovity Brain Coral

One brain coral is a collection of genetically identical, individual, multi-cellular organisms called polyps. These polyps resemble a human adult molar tooth. They have a quadruple root anchored to the calcified, coral surface and a soft body with short tentacles that wave back and forth in the water, collecting food. The tentacles send food into the mouth and into the stomach, which makes up the entire animal. The animal secretes calcium around itself, similar to an animal burrow, and is able to extend itself to catch food and withdraw itself to avoid predators.

Habitats and Range

Diseased Brain Coral

Brain coral live in warm, shallow-waters near the coast like Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Some species, like Platygyra daedalea lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf. Other species like Diploria labyrinthiformis lives in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and southern Florida.

Reproduction

Brain Coral Spawning

Brain coral reproduce one of two ways, depending on the species. Some species release eggs and sperm into the water to reproduce. When the eggs and sperm combine, the gamete floats through the ocean currents until it can find a secure place to begin creating its own colony. After the gametes settle on a location, they begin creating a new colony. Other species reproduce asexually, releasing sperm but holding onto the egg. Once the egg is fertilized it grows into a polyp and begins reproducing asexually, forming a head.

Food

Brain Coral--Diploria Strigosa

Brain coral have tiny tentacles like jellyfish that have poisonous stingers, which they use to catch their primary source of food, plankton. Some species also feed on bacteria. When the plankton get close enough, the stingers paralyze the microscopic animals so that the tentacles can draw the plankton into its mouth. Some species, like Platygyra daedalea, have microscopic algae living in symbiotic relationship with them. The algae feed the light and nutrients that the coral excretes, and the coral receives nutrients through a transfer system because they live within the brain coral tissue.

References

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Brain Coral
• What is Brain Coral?
• Arkive: Brain Coral

Resources

• Coral: Reproduction
• Grooved Brain Coral