Zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium, Dinophyceae) symbioses on coral reefs

Abstract

The large three-dimensional structures that make up coral reefs are primarily the product of calcium carbonate deposition by zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, i.e., stony corals living in symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium (a.k.a. zooxanthellae). This photosymbiosis permits fast nutrient cycling in the generally oligotrophic tropical waters.