Abstract
The correlation between the internal calice arrangement and compressive behavior of the skeleton of coral Pocillopora verrucosa has been characterized. The internal calices of this skeleton are arranged radially from a central axis in each branch. Such an arrangement of the calices results in a gradient distribution of the compressive properties; the middle part provides a higher strength, and the marginal part of the coral branch can undergo larger deformation to a certain extent. That is to say, the coral skeleton can offer a stronger internal support and a tougher external layer. Thus, the coral skeleton, as a natural porous and mineral material, can effectively undergo the ocean currents and provides a sturdy framework to protect the living polyps.
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modified from Chamberlain 1978), b different fractural mechanisms of samples with different calcies arrangement under compressive loading, and c a gradient distribution of the mechanical properties in coral branches
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
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This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51902043 and 51871048) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. N2102007 and N2102002).
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XM performed the experiments and data analyses, and wrote the paper; YFN and YZH performed data analyses; HMJ and XWL conceived and designed project and revised the paper.
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Mao, X., Nie, Y., Huang, Y. et al. A radial distribution of calices in coral skeleton of Pocillopora verrucosa (Ellis and Solander, 1786) against ocean currents. Mar Biol 168, 171 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03982-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03982-0