36 Colorful Corals: Many Hues Under the Deep Blue
While the color coral may be defined as hex FF7F50, the colors of the real organism range across the spectrum giving bright contrast to the blue ocean waters.
Recent research has revealed some interesting facts about how coral and their symbiotic partners the plankton:
Corals are fascinating animals that form the largest biological constructions in the world, sprawling coral reefs that cover less than 0.2 % of the seafloor yet provide habitats for more than 30% of marine life. In shallow waters that don't have abundant food, corals have developed a close relationship with small photosynthetic critters called dinoflagellates.
The dinoflagellates use sunlight to produce energy for the coral, which in turn use that energy to construct mineralized skeletons for protection. The mineral production, known as coral calcification, is closely tied with the day/night cycle, though the molecular mechanism behind this synchronization is mysterious.
- Science Daily
And, if you like such things, here are three other posts that you might fancy: Parrotfish, Landmark Colors: The Great Barrier Reef & Nudibranchs, The Most Colorful Creatures in the World. Plus, this COLOURlovers Group.
Header photo by ctenophore
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about 7 hours ago
groutboy
Someone should really go and paint all of those different-colored corals the REAL coral color, it would make so much more sense. Stop the diversity!
Excellent post. :)
wingedvictory
Thanks for this post. Love looking at the different coral (no matter how skwirmish i get)
:D
tenkerasu
my favorite is brain coral - it's so cool looking! and i used to have a piece of dead coral, and i loved that stuff. i think it's just one of the coolest animals - like the anoa! seriously, look that up on wikipedia!
klip
gaiagraphics
Yes, let's preserve it!!!
tepi
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