Coral surfaces feel slimy when you touch them. It’s because they are covered by mucus. This mucus is similar to the one that covers and protects your respiratory system. The coral polyps, the boneless individual animals that together form the coral colonies, have a muco-ciliary system. The mucus sits on top of tiny structures called cilia, each cilium looks like a tiny hair. The cilia constantly move the mucus on top of the coral's surface. This amazing system cleans the coral surface and also allows tiny particles of food to stick. Corals are filter-feeders, so through the mucus the coral polyp traps plankton and carries it inside the polyp.
Coral polyps are very sensitive to temperature changes. When the temperature rises, the mucus in the coral moves faster. However, if the temperature is too high, there could be too much mucus. The mucus strands get tangled up and become thick. This is not very healthy for the corals. The mucus also cleans the corals from different particles, it discards pollutants like oil drops and too much sand. Sometimes if there is too much oil or sand, the mucus system slows down and it clogs. The coral polyps become stressed, and eventually they get sick. It is important to keep the waters in the oceans clean and at an optimal temperature for the corals to be healthy, to grow and feed properly.
When you come to the Museum of Natural History, visit the Sant Ocean Hall. A Coral Reef Tank with living corals is located on the West side of the Hall. If you look carefully, you could see the mucus strands in the water that move around the coral surface. Next time, you are snorkeling or looking at the Living Reef in the museum, think about how important that slimy surface is to the corals.
by Talia R. Sheridan, Sc.M
Coral inventory, Behind the Scenes Volunteer
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