Koralowców

Koralowców is a Polish oblique form referring to corals, marine invertebrates of the class Anthozoa within the phylum Cnidaria. Corals occur as solitary polyps or colonial aggregates that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons (in stony corals) or form soft-bodied structures (in soft corals). Reef-building scleractinians create the framework of tropical coral reefs, one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems.

Anatomically, individual coral polyps have a tubular body with a central mouth surrounded by tentacles bearing cnidocytes—specialized cells used for prey capture and defense. Many corals engage in a mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) that live in their tissues, providing nutrients via photosynthesis and contributing to calcification.

Reproduction includes both sexual spawning, often synchronized by environmental cues, and asexual methods such as budding and fragmentation, which enable colony growth and reef propagation. Coral larvae (planulae) disperse before settling and metamorphosing into new polyps.

Ecologically, coral reefs provide habitat, coastal protection, and support fisheries and tourism. They are sensitive to temperature changes, water quality, acidification, and physical damage. Coral bleaching—loss of symbiotic algae—can lead to widespread mortality during thermal stress events.

Conservation efforts focus on reducing local stressors, marine protected areas, restoration techniques, and mitigating climate change. Scientific research and monitoring aim to improve understanding of coral resilience and inform management strategies.