coral shell dried pocilopora

navigate by keyword : cake calcium carbonate classification colony color conservation coral corals cuisine decoration delicate dessert dish dried ecology ecosystem education environment environmental fish flower food fragile fragment genus growth habitat hardcoral icing invertebrate life living marine meal morphology natural nature nonliving ocean oceanfloor organic organism organismal plant pocillopora polyp preservation protection reef reefscape research sample scleractinian sea shell shelter skeleton species specimen stony structure study substrate sustainability taxonomy texture undefined white zoology

Pocillopora is a genus of branching stony corals, commonly found in tropical reef ecosystems. Dried coral shells of Pocillopora showcase intricate branching structures and calcium carbonate skeletons. These corals contribute to reef-building, providing habitat and shelter for marine organisms. Dried specimens are often used for scientific study, decoration, or educational purposes, highlighting the delicate architecture and ecological importance of reef-building corals.