Table Coral

Each disk is an individual colony of microorganisms, filtering nutrients from the water.

Growth patterns indicate the colonies are in direct competition for positions with superior current or light. Unlike other coral species its structure is malleable, softly pulsating as it pumps nutrients to its extremities, and only turning rigid when it senses physical assault.

The jewel-like nodes in the surface are concentrated build-ups of rare minerals the coral is unable to process.

AssessmentExploitable in computer chip fabrication