Diversity of Defense Strategies in Coral Species
Some coral species produce toxins for defense, while others do not. Stinging cells in the tissues of some coral species can produce toxins used to deter predators, but not all corals have this defense mechanism. The presence of venom in corals depends on the species’ need to defend itself from predators. For example, species like fire corals and blue corals contain stinging cells to ward off attackers, whereas corals such as brain corals, mushroom corals, and large boulder corals do not have stinging cells and rely on a calcium carbonate skeleton for defense. The potency of these toxins varies based on factors like habitat and local threats, reflecting a diverse range of defense strategies across the over 800 coral species.
Toxicity of Corals
Some coral species produce toxins for defense, while others do not. The presence of venom in corals depends on their need to defend themselves from predators. For instance, fire and blue corals contain stinging cells to ward off attackers, while brain, mushroom, and large boulder corals do not possess such cells and rely on a calcium carbonate skeleton for defense. The potency of the toxins can vary based on factors such as habitat and threats, showing a diversity of defense strategies across the over 800 coral species.