Hydromechanical adaptation in the solitary free-living coral Fungia scutaria

摘要: THE scleractinian coral Fungia scutaria produces a dense, diskoid skeleton that is adapted for stability and abrasion resistance in turbulent water. Water motion rights skeletons at velocities lower than needed to disturb upright corals. Flow of water over the controlled largely by passive hydro-mechanical adaptations. Previous reports1–3 suggest muscular activity main mechanism enabling free-living solitary corals follow their peculiar way life. Our work indicates hydromechanical adaptations can be more important factor shallow waters. Several species are known migrate, avoid burial, right themselves action polyp1,2 or symbiotic sipunculid worms3. Most other Indo-Pacific such as F. inactive, yet remain Dead generally found with oral surface upward, seem resist erosion far better We overturned dead one area; they were righted during next period heavy waves, suggesting unique hydraulic structural properties skeleton.