Brain Coral

Brain coral is a common name for several species of stony coral found on coral reefs in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, named for the distinctive folded, ridged surface of its skeleton, which closely resembles the convoluted appearance of a mammalian brain. Like other reef-building corals, brain coral is formed by colonies of tiny, genetically identical polyps that secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton, growing very slowly, often only a few millimetres a year, which allows some large colonies to reach many centuries in age and grow into massive, boulder-like formations. The coral relies on a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae living within its tissue, which provide most of its energy through photosynthesis in exchange for shelter and access to sunlight, a partnership that is disrupted during coral bleaching events triggered by unusually warm water. Because of its slow growth and long lifespan, brain coral plays an important structural role on many reefs, but like most stony corals it is highly vulnerable to rising ocean temperatures, acidification and physical damage from storms or human activity.