Oculinidae is a family of colonial .
Characteristics
Members of the family Oculinidae are characterised by having the walls of the
(the cups which house the polyps) being composed of solid walled though rather fragile tubes connected by a smooth skeletal material called
coenosteum. The corallites are widely spaced and robust. The septa (ridges on the corallite walls) curve noticeably outward giving the coral a spiky appearance. Many species in this family form a
Symbiosis relationship with the
flagellate protozoa which live within the tissues of the polyps. These are
Photosynthesis algae that provide nutrients for the polyps while themselves benefiting from a safe environment and an elevated, sunny position.
[ Galaxy Corals, Family Oculinidae Wet Web Media.com. Retrieved 2011-12-15.][
]
Genera
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following genera:[
]
Distribution
The genera Oculina and Schizoculina are found in the Atlantic Ocean. Most species are uncommon.[ Family Oculinidae Horizon. Retrieved 2011-12-15.]
