ASTRAEIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Astraeidae refers to a family of marine colonial coral polyps belonging to the order Scleractinia. With over 120 known species, they are commonly found in shallow, warm tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The name Astraeidae is derived from the Greek word "astron," meaning star, due to the distinctive star-shaped appearance of their skeleton structure.
Members of the Astraeidae family form massive or encrusting colonies, consisting of numerous polyps interconnected by a calcium carbonate skeleton. These polyps contain tiny tentacles used for feeding on small planktonic organisms and organic matter. The colonies can vary in size and shape, ranging from round and domed to lobe-like or flat. They are typically colorful, displaying hues of brown, green, blue, or gray, sometimes with intricate patterns or markings.
Astraeidae corals play a vital role in coral reef ecosystems by providing habitat for numerous marine species and contributing to reef structure and stability. They are known to exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction, with new colonies forming through budding or release of gametes for fertilization.
However, like many coral species, Astraeidae corals are vulnerable to numerous threats, including climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, sedimentation, and overfishing. These factors can lead to coral bleaching, decreased growth, and ultimately, the decline of coral reefs. Consequently, conservation efforts are crucial to protect Astraeidae corals and their associated ecosystems, as they are not only a source of biodiversity but also important to human communities that depend on coral reefs for coastal protection and economic support.
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The family of star corals, so called from the arrangement and number of their cell rays.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ASTRAEIDAE
- astridae
- zstraeidae
- sstraeidae
- wstraeidae
- qstraeidae
- aatraeidae
- aztraeidae
- axtraeidae
- adtraeidae
- aetraeidae
- awtraeidae
- asrraeidae
- asfraeidae
- asgraeidae
- asyraeidae
- as6raeidae
- as5raeidae
- asteaeidae
- astdaeidae
- astfaeidae
Etymology of ASTRAEIDAE
The word "Astraeidae" is derived from the Greek word "astron", meaning "star". The suffix "-idae" is commonly used in taxonomy to identify a family classification. Therefore, "Astraeidae" refers to a family of star-shaped organisms. This term is commonly used in the field of marine biology to describe a group of corals, also known as "star corals", due to their skeletal structure resembling stars.
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