Diversity of Coral Reef Animals
S07
Elizabeth Sherman
Coral reefs are among the most diverse, unique, and beautiful of ecosystems on the planet. Alas, they are also quite vulnerable to various environmental assaults and most of the reefs on earth are in real jeopardy. Students will learn the taxonomy, identification, and characteristics of the animals that live in coral reefs. We will discuss the major biological innovations that have permitted the evolution of these extraordinary ecosystems. This course can serve as a prerequisite for the summer field course in Coral Reef Biology in Grand Cayman.