Coral microbial ecology

Introduction

Corals are invertebrate marine animals belonging to the phyla Cnidaria and class Anthozoa. They thrive in salty ocean water. Although some corals have been found as deep as 91 m (300 ft), most live optimally at shallower depths of 70 m (230 ft) or less. Corals are either soft or hard, but reefs form only with the presence of hard coral. Soft coral doesn't have the capability to make reefs, but still may be present. Hard corals have calcium carbonate skeleton.

Coral reefs have great biodiversity photo by Mikhail Rogov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coral_reef_in_Ras_Muhammad_nature_park_(Iolanda_reef).jpg

Disease

Include some current research, with at least one image.

Bleaching

Include some current research, with a second image.

Bleached coral from Madang by Jan Messersmith http://www.messersmith.name/wordpress/2011/03/07/massive-coral-bleaching-at-planet-rock/

Conclusion

Overall text length should be at least 1,000 words (before counting references), with at least 2 images. Include at least 5 references under Reference section.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Emily Stegner, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2013, Kenyon College.