PRESENCE OF CALCAREOUS BIOGENIC TUBES ON CORAL MADRACIS MYRIASTER STRUCTURE (SCLERACTINIA:POCILLOPORIDAE) FROM DEEP-WATER IN COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

Abstract

A large number of branches from the scleractinian coral Madracis myriaster, collected in deep waters of the Colombian Caribbean, showed both inside and around the skeleton calcareous structures constructed by tubiculous organisms. Here, based on the growth strategy of the coral and the physical conditions of deep-water areas, we describe the functional effect of the tube structures on deep coral frameworks formation and growth.