 : Alcyoniidae
|  |
| ||
|
Taxonomy: Alcyonacea:
Alcyoniidae
(Octocorals) Body Form: Tiny pieces of calcite called sclerites aid in internal support. Some anchor to the substrate with calcite while other species produce internal supports to hold themselves upright. The polyps have a low density of nematocysts. Mucus and microvilli aid in food movement to the mouth. Autozooids are feeding polyps while piphonozooids are water circulating polyps - some species have only autozooids while others have both. Diet: The octocorals are generally polytrophic - getting nutrition from zooxanthellae (algae) in their tissues, nutrient uptake from the seawater, and feeding on microplankton. Care Level: easy Natural History: The Alcyonacea (one of the octocorals) include the leather corals, soft corals, map polyps, and gorgonians. Nearly all members live attached to a solid substrate by attachment via a holdfast. As a group they do not produce an aragonite skeleton but instead produce a protein and calcite that together cements the body together. Lacking penetrating nematocysts, these corals feed on tiny prey - bacteria, rotifers, and algae cells - that are suspended in the water column. They are found in areas without high wave action. Some species produce exotoxins that may affect the growth of other stony coral competitors. |
