Question

Besides reef building corals, the most important organisms that help form coral reefs are?

1) Seaweed
2) Sponges
3) Sea anemones
4) Clams

Answer 1

Clams are one of the key organisms besides corals that contribute to the formation of coral reefs through their calcium carbonate shells, aiding in the accumulation of the reef structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Besides reef building corals, which are organisms that belong to the phylum Cnidaria and secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton, clams are considered one of the most important organisms that help form coral reefs. Clams contribute to the reef structure by their calcium carbonate shells when they die. The reefs are also found in warm shallow waters (photic zone) where they form a mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic unicellular algae, which provides them with most of their nutrition and energy required to grow.