dcsimg
Image of Diploria Milne Edwards & Haime 1848

Grooved Brain Coral

Diploria labyrinthiformis (Linnaeus 1758)

Comprehensive Description

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"Diploria labyrinthiformis is a reef building coral that, along with many other coral species, helps to create a biodiversity-rich habitat for innumerable other coral reef animals. Diploria labyrinthiformis is identified by its characteristically brain-like hemispherical-shaped heads, and deep, interconnected polyp-bearing valleys which are separated by broad, grooved ridges" (Rossi-Snook, Wood, and Zeeh).
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LaPenna, Tara
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LaPenna, Tara
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Distribution

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"It is found in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, southern Florida, and Bermuda" (Rossi -Snook, Wood, and Zeeh).

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LaPenna, Tara
author
LaPenna, Tara
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EOL Interns LifeDesk

Trophic Strategy

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D. labyrinthiformis is in a sedimentary environment so because it can’t move around for food it has to depend on suspension to get nourishment. They prey on zooplankton and bacteria, by using their tentacles and extruded mesenterial filaments. They have nematocysts on their polyps, these nematocysts are triggered to capture and immobilize their prey. Also, mucus and cilia help in capturing and bringing food particles to the mouth (Rossi-Snook, Wood, and Zeeh). Furthermore, it also gets nourishment from symbiotic dinoflagellate algae and zooxanthellae, which is located in its polyps’ endodermal tissue layer (Rossi-Snook, Wood, and Zeeh).

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
LaPenna, Tara
author
LaPenna, Tara
partner site
EOL Interns LifeDesk