Caryophylliidae

Caryophylliidae is a family of stony corals belonging to the order Scleractinia. These corals are characterized by their solitary, non-colonial growth form. They possess a hard, calcium carbonate skeleton, known as a corallite, which protects the soft polyp. The corallites are typically cylindrical and often have a distinct scar on the base where the coral was attached to a substrate.

The polyps of Caryophylliidae are solitary and generally do not bud or divide to form colonies. They have a single, large mouth surrounded by tentacles. These tentacles are equipped with nematocysts, stinging cells used to capture small planktonic organisms for food. Reproduction can be sexual, with the release of gametes into the water column, or asexual through budding.

This family is found in a wide range of marine environments, from shallow tropical waters to the deep sea. Some species are adapted to low-light conditions and can be found in abyssal zones. Caryophylliidae are important reef-builders in some areas, contributing to the structural complexity of marine ecosystems. They are also a food source for various marine animals. The family includes numerous genera and species, many of which are still actively being researched by marine biologists. Their distribution is global, with representatives found in all major oceans.