Massive Coral Reef (Biotic Group)

Component: Biotic

Unique Identifier: 496

Biotic Setting	Benthic/Attached Biota
Biotic Class	Reef Biota
Biotic Subclass	Shallow/Mesophotic Coral Reef Biota
Biotic Group	Massive Coral Reef
Biotic Community	Massive Diploria Reef Massive Montastraea Reef Massive Porites Reef

Description

Definition

Reefs dominated by massive corals (also known as boulder or mound corals) that are characteristically ball- or boulder-shaped and relatively slow growing. This group includes reefs dominated by submassive corals, which are similar to massive corals, but have a lumpier structure. Brain corals are an example of massive coral.

Massive and submassive corals are resistant to strong water currents, and are therefore commonly found in shallow and mid-depth waters. These forms are common on back-reef slopes. See Figure 8.5 for an example of the massive coral growth form.