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Anthozoa is a class within
the phylum Cnidaria that contains the sea anemones, gorgonians and
corals (also called "flower animals").
Unlike other cnidarians, anthozoans do not have a medusa stage in
their development.
Anemonies and certain species of coral live in isolation, however
most corals form colonies
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CORALS AND GORGONIANS
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Coral or stony corals are
exclusively marine animals. They are very similar to sea anemones but
generate a hard skeleton. The rigid skeleton is composed of calcium
carbonate
Colonial corals found in clear, shallow tropical waters and they are
the world's primary reef-builders, and provide a home and protection
for other marine animals.
Solitary corals are found in all regions of the oceans and do not build
reefs
Coral
TO EXTEND
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A sea fan, or gorgonian, is a form of sessile colonial cnidarian, similar to a soft coral, found in tropical and subtropical seawater.
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SEA ANEMONES |
Sea anemones are a group of water dwelling and predatory
animals belonging to anthozoa. Sea anemones look like plants, but they
are really animals
A sea anemone is a small sac attach itself to rocks or coral. The mouth
is in the middle of the oral disc surrounded by tentacles armed with
many cnidocytes used to capturate preys.
Anemones are found in coastal areas all over the
world.
Those that inhabit tidal zones like Actinia,
retract their tentacles completely when they are exposed at low tide.
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