The common Atlantic coral, Isophyllastrea rigida, is shown with about a dozen coral cups of various shapes.A coral is placed in a genus and species by examining the fine structure of the skeleton. The general outline of the corallum usually is sufficient to place the coral specimen in the correct genus. However, to obtain the species a closer examination is needed. Below are two perspectives of a common Atlantic coral. The least magnified view can be used to compare the coral with pictures of corals in nature books and obtain a genus, in this case Isophyllastrea. Further magnification reveals the intricate substructure of the coral cup. The serrated septa confirm that the species is rigida.
The common Atlantic coral, Isophyllastrea rigida, is shown with about a dozen coral cups of various shapes.
A look into the coral cup reveals serrated septa. The cup or calice measures approximately 15mm in diameter.
The video sequences were filmed in the tropical South Pacific. Due to the nature of streaming video, the true quality of the video is obscured by the present state of computer video technology. The equipment setup is shown below.
The front knob on the housing allows use of a special filter that increases color in deeper water. The video was taken in 20-50 feet around midday. A 100 watt light illuminated many of the sequences when additional color was desired.
Many of the videos shot after vol5no3 were made in high definition with the JVC HD10U in a gates underwater housing.