Reproduction, feeding, gas exchange, excretion, and defence all happen in every polyp and they work as a colony. The polyps are highly depended on for the whole coral's survival, thus having mechanisms to protect the polyps are important. When the polyps are disturbed, they are able to retract their bodies fully into the pores (video 1).
Vid1 Video displays polyps of Sarcophyton ehrenbergi being disturb.
Polyp retraction can be observed.
In addition to protecting their selves, mucus is also produced for various purposes for assisting corals in reproduction, feeding, and defence (vid 2)
Vid2 Video displays mucus excretion
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