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Species of Coral in an Open Ocean Biome

A biome is a geographical region characterized by groups of various organisms that have adapted to its specific environment. Unlike a habitat confined to a much smaller area, climate and a large geographical span determines the kind of biome that exists for that region. Major biomes include forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra and various aquatic environments. An open ocean biome -- also called pelagic, is one that has no adjacent land forms. It is home to many varieties of coral.

Deep-Water Coral
- Corals are aquatic animals consisting of 6,000 species, classified within the scientific phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa. Most corals attach themselves to solid surfaces, creating colonies that evolve into reefs. Even though a large number of species live on coastlines, there are others that thrive in deep waters, creating thickets, mounds or patches within open ocean biomes. Some of these deep-water corals include Oculina varicose, Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata, and species within the orders Alcyonacea and Antipatharia.
Oculina varicose
- Oculina varicose, sometimes called "The Ivory Tree Coral," forms giant, ivory colored, branched thickets that grow almost 100 feet in height, at ocean depths reaching more that 300 feet. One the largest occurrences of Oculina varicose was discovered in 1975; it is called the Oculina Banks located 16 to 31 miles off the coast of Florida. Oculina varicose is categorized in the order Scleractinia, family Oculinidae.
Lophelia pertusa
- Universally speaking, not all corals build reefs -- regardless of the aquatic environment. However, of all open ocean, coral reef builders, Lophelia pertusa is the most common. This species is snow white in color, grows up to 10 feet high, and can be found in depths reaching approximately 10,000 feet. One of the world's largest Lophelia coral structures in deep water is the Røst Reef, located 1,300 miles west of Røst Island, Norway. Lophelia pertusa is classified in the order Scleractinia, family Caryophylliidae.
Madrepora oculata
- Madrepora oculata varies in shape and color within the species, ranging from chunky to fan-shaped, and white to orange. Generally distributed in polar seas, Madrepora coral is found at depths of almost 5,000 feet. Madrepora oculata is categorized in the order Scleractinia, family Oculinidae.
Alcyonacea and Antipatharia
- Alcyonacea and Antipatharia are scientific orders of coral that have numerous species found in deep, open water biomes. Alcyonacea consists of what is referred to as "soft corals," which includes bamboo corals, such as Lepidisis caryophyllia and Keratoisis chuni. Antipatharia is the order of "black and horny corals," which includes Chrysopathes Formosa and Hexapathes alis.

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