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Coral Reef Species
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Flashcards
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Acropora spp.
Primary reef builders that create the complex three-dimensional structures.
Montipora spp.
Contributor to reef construction, provides habitat for many marine species.
Porites spp.
Builders of massive reef structures and contributors to biodiversity.
Millepora spp.
Fire corals that can cause painful stings, adding a defensive layer to the reef.
Parrotfish (Family Scaridae)
Important in bioerosion, helping to maintain a balance between coral and algal populations.
Clownfish (Amphiprioninae)
Symbiotic relationships with anemones provide mutual protection.
Dascyllus trimaculatus (Three-spot dascyllus)
Uses branching corals as a protective habitat, contributing to mutual defense.
Cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)
Cleans parasites and dead tissue from other fish, providing health benefits to the community.
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Controls sponges on the reef and maintains sponge-coral balance.
Diadema antillarum (Long-spined sea urchin)
Grazes on algae and helps to prevent algal overgrowth on the reef.
Gorgonia spp. (Sea fans)
Filter feeders that contribute to water quality and act as habitat for other species.
Acanthaster planci (Crown-of-thorns starfish)
Coral predator that can significantly affect coral population dynamics.
Gramma loreto (Royal gramma)
Small fish that live within the reef, providing for biodiversity.
Symbiodinium spp.
Zooxanthellae algae that have a symbiotic relationship with many coral species, critical for energy production through photosynthesis.
Halimeda spp.
Green macroalgae that contribute to sediment formation and reef structure through their calcified segments.
Lobophora variegata
Algae that can compete with corals for space but also serve as food for some herbivorous species.
Pterois spp. (Lionfish)
Invasive species that predate on smaller fish, altering the native ecosystem balance.
Echinoidea spp. (Sea urchins)
Herbivores that help control algae, crucial in preventing algal dominance on reefs.
Pomacentrus spp. (Damselfish)
Territorial fish that can farm algae, affect coral health, and offer diversity to the ecosystem.
Mycedium spp. (Elephant skin coral)
Provides unique structures for habitat, contributes to reef diversity and complexity.
Oculina spp. (Ivory bush coral)
Branching coral species that form habitat for many marine organisms.
Platygyra spp. (Brain coral)
Contributes to reef structure and provides shelter and spawning sites for fish and invertebrates.
Stenopus hispidus (Banded coral shrimp)
Cleaner shrimp that remove parasites and dead tissue from other organisms.
Holothuria spp. (Sea cucumbers)
Detritivores that help recycle nutrients and maintain sediment quality.
Mollusca spp. (Mollusks)
Includes grazers, filter feeders, and predators, contributing to nutrient cycling and ecosystem complexity.
Carcharhinus perezi (Caribbean reef shark)
Top predator that helps maintain the balance in the reef food web.
Scarus spp. (Parrotfish)
Herbivorous fish that play a role in bioerosion and sand production.
Spongia spp. (Commercial sponges)
Filter feeders that clean the water and serve as habitat for small creatures.
Cetoscarus bicolor (Bicolor parrotfish)
Another important herbivore for the reef, grazing on algae and preventing overgrowth.
Xenia spp. (Pulsing Xenia)
Soft coral known for its pulsing movement, adds to the diversity and functionality of reef ecosystems.
Turbinaria spp. (Turban corals)
Contributes to reef structure form and complexity and provides a substrate for other organisms.
Zooplankton
Drifters in the water column, serve as food for many reef species, like corals and fish.
Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback turtle)
Largest of all living turtles, helps control jellyfish populations which can compete with small fish for zooplankton.
Hipposcarus longiceps (Pacific parrotfish)
Herbivore that maintains the algal populations on coral reefs and produces sand.
Tridacna spp. (Giant clams)
Filter feeders and hosts for symbiotic algae, contributing to nutrient cycling and biodiversity.
Abudefduf spp. (Sergeant majors)
Omnivorous fish that help to control algae and small invertebrate populations on the reef.
Epinephelus spp. (Groupers)
Predatory fish that help control populations of other reef fish, contributing to a healthy reef ecosystem balance.
Pocillopora spp. (Cauliflower corals)
Provides intricate structures for various marine organisms, contributing to the reef's architectural diversity.
Antennarius spp. (Frogfish)
Camouflaged predators that help maintain the balance of smaller fish populations.
Callyspongia spp. (Vase sponge)
Filter feeders that help with nutrient cycling and provide microhabitats for small reef organisms.
Lysmata wurdemanni (Peppermint shrimp)
Cleaner shrimp that control pests such as the parasitic sea anemones and detritus on the reef.
Gymnothorax funebris (Green moray eel)
Ambush predator that helps control fish populations and adds to the reef diversity.
Chaetodon spp. (Butterflyfish)
Species often specialized to feed on coral polyps or benthic invertebrates contribute to biological control.
Acanthurus spp. (Surgeonfish)
Herbivorous fish important for grazing on algae and maintaining the coral-algal balance.
Triaenodon obesus (Whitetip reef shark)
A nocturnal predator that helps to maintain species diversity and population control.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)
Predatory fish that help to keep the populations of smaller fish in check, very important for the health of the coral reef.
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