Galapagos coral  (Polycyathus isabela)

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • Algae: simple plants that lack roots, stems and leaves but contain the green pigment chlorophyll. Most occur in marine and freshwater habitats.
  • Colonies: relating to corals: corals composed of numerous genetically identical individuals (also referred to as zooids or polyps), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.
  • Corallites: the skeletons of individual polyps. Polpys are the soft-bodied components of corals; each polyp comprises a trunk that is fixed at the base, and a mouth that is placed at the opposite end of the trunk and is surrounded by tentacles.
  • El Niño: a natural phenomenon that happens every 4 to 12 years, and lasts for several months, when upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water does not occur. This causes the warming of ocean surface water off the western coast of South America and causes die-offs of plankton and fish. It also affects Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns in various parts of the world.
  • Zooplankton: Tiny aquatic animals that drift with currents or swim weakly in water.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (September, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. CITES (July, 2008)
    http://www.cites.org
  3. Wood, E.M. (1983) Corals of the World.TFH Publications, New Jersey.
  4. Veron, J. (2000) Corals of the World.Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.
  5. Barnes, R.D. (1987) Invertebrate Zoology. Fifth Edition.Saunders College Publishing, US.
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