Which coral species forms one of the largest marine colonies?
Quick Answer
The giant coral colony off the coast of West Papua, Indonesia, is one of the largest known coral colonies. It is a Pavona coral spread over more than 30 meters across and thousands of years old.
The Full Story
One of the largest known coral colonies was documented in the Solomon Islands region and similar giant colonies have been reported in the Indo-Pacific. These giant colonies can be made by a single genetic individual that grows over centuries or millennia. Because corals can clone themselves by expansion, a single colony may become vast even though it is genetically one organism. Such colonies are important for reef structure and long-term ecosystem stability.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Some corals are so big they’re basically underwater forests made by one organism."