Great Star Coral [Montastraea cavernosa]
Description
This coral species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It forms into massive and domed structure which gives the name Dome Sponges. They usually live in areas where the depth is between 1-70m. They are known for their slow growth rate and long lifespan. They feed by capturing tiny marine animals known as zooplankton and also receive nutrients from the photosynthetic algae living symbiotically within their tissues.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Hexactinellida
Hexactinellida
|
| Order |
Hexactinosida
Hexactinosida
|
| Family |
Glass Rope Sponges
Hyalonematidae
|
| Genus |
Dome Sponges
Compsocalyx
|