Coral Reef Systems

Since the early 1980s, the frequency and severity of mass coral bleaching events have increased sharply worldwide

can be found in shells between rocks and crevices in tide pools and also coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from Japan to Australia.

Each head of coral is formed by a colony of genetically identical polyps which secrete a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate; this makes them important coral reef builders like other stony corals in the order Scleractinia.

Most snapping shrimp dig burrows and are common inhabitants of coral reefs, submerged seagrass flats, and oyster reefs.

They are commonly found near the shoreline, near rocks, and coral reefs.

Epaulette sharks have nocturnal habits and frequent shallow water on coral reefs or in tidal pools.

The S. giganteus lives in coral reefs in the Caribbean.

Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters.

The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae, order Scorpaeniformes.

It inhabits shallow coral reefs off northern Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands.

They have been spotted in near-shore habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, kelp forests, and sandy beaches.

It is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, frequenting coral reefs and sandy flats to a depth of 62 m (200 ft).

Typically, these algae grow in a crustose manner (encrusting rocks and other hardscape); in the intertidal zone of rocky shorelines, and within coral reefs, these algae appear as an abundance of colorful patches on rock surfaces.

They live in sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, estuaries, coral reefs, and mangroves.

They favor coral reefs, but also inhabit continental shelves, island terraces, lagoons, and deep water near land.

Found on coral reefs (Ref. 104365 ).

Found on hard substrate and coral reefs (Ref. 104365 ).

Found on rocky bottoms and coral reefs (Ref. 83922 ).

It is found in fringing reefs and is observed to rest on rock crevices near the water edge (Ref. 88090 ).

They occur singly and inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710 ).

Found in coral reefs at depths of 10 to 20 m (Ref. 866 ).

Inhabits shallow coral reefs, coral communities, coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, and mesophotic reefs (Ref. 128739 ).

Occurs on seagrass beds and seaweed areas (Refs. 82802 , 89727 ), particularly on reef flats (Ref. 85384 ).

Dwells in reef and seagrass habitats in Belize.

Found along the neritic zone, in reef areas (Ref. 97241 ).

Occurs on living coral reefs at reef edge and slope at depths of 1 to 20 m.

Inhabits shallow protected lagoons and inshore reefs (Ref. 1602 , 48636 ).

A common shallow water species; mostly on inner and outer flats of coastal reefs, back reefs, or shallow coastal lagoons

Shallow-water benthic species inhabiting coral reefs and found in a variety of substrata (Ref. 81543 ).

Found in shallow inshore reef habitats, often in strong current zones to about 15 m depth (Ref. 48636 ).

Inhabits coastal and sheltered reef flats in small groups and schools in oceanic locations (Ref. 48637 ).

A common inshore bottom shark found on coral reefs, often in tide pools (Ref. 247 ).

found on rocks and coral reefs (Ref. 90102 ).

Prefers rocky shoreline areas and coral reefs (Ref. 247 , 43278 ).

Inhabits sandy coral reef and shallow bays, hiding underneath rocks and dead corals (Ref. 98471 )

Lives in existing burrows in shallow and rough bottom habitats, often on or near coral reefs (Ref. 92 )

Solitary species on inshore reefs (Ref. 48635 ).

Primarily found in seaward reef slopes, but occasionally on lagoon reefs and reef tops (Ref. 9710 ).

The species is common on coral reefs, about 2-10 m

Adults are found in lagoon and outer reefs, especially coral rich protected areas (Ref. 9710 ).

Adults inhabit rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 9710 ).

Also on or near coral reefs (Ref. 12951 , Ref. 114953 ).

Their surrounding habitat includes living or fragmented coral reefs, and sandy regions within tidal zones.

Adults are found offshore, often in coral reefs, rocks, and eelgrass beds.

Sepia apama inhabits coral reefs, rocky reefs, kelp forests, seagrass meadows, muddy and sandy areas.

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; brackish; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; reef-associated

Marine; brackish; reef-associated

Elysia crispata prefers tropical reefs and thrives in environments abundant with algae, mainly at depths from 0.5 to 12 m.

These dinoflagellates are therefore among the most abundant eukaryotic microbes found in coral reef ecosystems.