Explore the Collection: Corals
Corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes animals such as sea anemones and jellyfish.
In the Dampier Archipelago, researchers primarily studied hard (Scleractinian) corals. These corals are responsible for the construction of tropical coral reefs. This is achieved through the building of a hard calcium carbonate skeleton around the polyp.
Hard corals are extremely important in the marine environment as they provide shelter for a large number of other animals, including crabs, prawns and fishes. They also provide an anchor point for other sessile animals. These reefs also act as a buffer, protecting the land from large waves and swells formed offshore.
Hard corals feed by extending tentacles out of their hard covering to capture food. Many hard corals contain microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) which, through photosynthesis, provide the corals with nutrients. In turn, the coral provides the algae with a suitable habitat to live.
As the algae living within the corals require sunlight for photosynthesis, coral reefs are generally found in shallow waters. However, in areas where the water is very clear, allowing sunlight to penetrate further, corals can grow at depths of up to 60 metres.
Over 200 hard coral species have been identified in the Dampier Archipelago.
Did you know?
Corals and other closely related animals possess 'stinging' cells, called Cnidocytes, which are used for defence and capturing prey.
Corals:
Click on any of the Corals below to read more.
Brain Coral
This type of coral is often referred to as brain coral because its appearance is similar to that of a human brain. Several different groups of hard corals develop with this brain-like appearance.
Read more about Brain Coral…
Staghorn Coral
Staghorn corals belong to a genus of hard corals known as Acropora. They are one of the most important reef building corals. The corals increase their exposure to sunlight by forming branches.
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Brown Coral
This coral belongs to a genus known as Pocillopora. It forms branches that are often flattened. The white tips that can be seen in the photograph are the result of grazing by fishes.
Read more about Brown Coral…
