noun
- small marine algae that deposit calcium carbonate in their cell walls, forming hard, coral-like structures
Usage: biology; marine science
Examples
- The tide pools were covered with pink and purple corallines.
- Corallines help build coral reefs by adding calcium carbonate to the structure.
- Marine biologists study corallines to understand ocean acidification effects.
- The rocky shore was encrusted with various species of corallines.
- Corallines are important primary producers in many marine ecosystems.
- Climate change threatens the growth of corallines in warming oceans.