1. Meandrina forms encrusting massive gigantic colony consisting of round masses of limestone measuring approximately 25 meters in diameter and weighing several tons of sea.
2. Meandrina and Meandra is called brain coral. The long, curved grooves running parallel with each other resemble convolutions of the human brain and hence the name brain coral.
3. Each mass is formed as a result of accumulation of several generations of polyp.
4. Surface of the colony is made up of numerous sinuous ridges which are the septa and grooves.
5. During living conditions, the polyps remain confluent, mingled and closely set called as confluent corallites.
6. Polyps do not occupy separate cups but several of them become mixed, having a common fringe of tentacles and rows of septa and mesenteries.
7. Mouth of mixed polyps remain separate.
8. Confluent polyps contract in day time, while they remain extended at night.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
