In the case of Labrador scleractinian assemblages, there is a base of fallen dead colonies that goes back about 10,000 years in age, with individual colonies more than a century or two old. So the latter certainly, aside from zooxanthellae, gives the closest approximation to reef-like conditions. Coral reefs are such structures build by hermatypic corals and associated organisms. I agree we need to stick with correct terminology, and educate the public and press in the process. Zibrowius 's message is already displayed above.
Coral reefs are such structures build by hermatypic corals and associated organisms.
I agree we need to stick with correct terminology, and educate the public and press in the process. Thanks for this enlightenment. I don't pretend to know the correct word for deepwater corals lacking zooxanthellae. This entire debate was fought through over the status of Astrangia danae, now Astrangia poculata, a temperate coral found in the waters of New England. A. poculata occurs side by side in forms with a brown color characteristic of its zooxanthellae and as pure white, with no zooxanthellae, and in various shades in between.