Close up of coral polyps (Alveopra sp.). Coral use their sensitive tentacles to trap plankton particles from the water, which is then passed through t

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Close up of coral polyps (Alveopra sp.). Coral use their sensitive tentacles to trap plankton particles from the water, which is then passed through to the mouth. The polyps build tough structures of calcium carbonate around themselves for protection and support. Coral reefs form the basis of extensive marine ecosystems. Photographed in West Papua, Indonesia, Asia.

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Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © MATTHEW OLDFIELD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alveopora, animal, asia, atoll, biological, biology, close-, cnidarian, coelenterate, coral, filtering, indonesia, invertebrate, invertebrates, mapia, marine, multiple, nature, night, papua, polyp, polyps, sp., tentacle, tentacles, tropical, underwater, west, wildlife, zoological, zoology