Updated by: Arabinda Naik
Coral Polyp Settlement: The process begins when free-swimming coral larvae, known as planulae, settle and attach themselves to a hard substrate on the ocean floor. This substrate can be the remains of dead corals or other hard structures, including rock or the skeletons of other organisms.
Coral Polyp Reproduction: Once the coral polyp settles and begins to grow, it undergoes asexual reproduction through budding. This results in the formation of a colony of genetically identical polyps, all interconnected by living tissue.
Calcium Carbonate Secretion: Coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate (aragonite) from which they construct their exoskeletons, known as corallites. The polyps extend their tentacles to capture plankton and other small organisms. The calcium carbonate they secrete contributes to the growth of the corallites.
Colonial Growth: As the colony of coral polyps grows, the corallites multiply and expand, forming a complex three-dimensional structure. This structure provides living space for a wide variety of marine organisms.
Algae Symbiosis: Many coral species have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. These algae live within the coral tissues and provide the coral with essential nutrients and oxygen through photosynthesis.
Reef Building: Over time, the accumulation of calcium carbonate and the growth of the coral colony create the characteristic structures of a coral reef. The reef's complex architecture, formed by layers of corallites, provides the basis for the entire ecosystem.