Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- coral reef - Corals and other reef-building organisms
- Jurassic Period - Protists and invertebrates
- A Journey Through Time Since the Precambrian - Jurassic Period: 201.3 million to 145 million years ago
- Jurassic Period - Marine life
- Ordovician Period - Reefs
- Triassic Period - Invertebrates
- sponge - Habitats
- Stromatopora
Which organisms built Jurassic reefs besides corals?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Jurassic Period
Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins during the late Jurassic Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.
During the Jurassic Period, reef and mound construction was not limited to corals. Unlike modern reefs, which are primarily formed by scleractinian corals, Jurassic reefs were built by a diverse array of invertebrate organisms.1
Key organisms that contributed to the construction of Jurassic reefs and mounds included:
- Siliceous sponges: These organisms played a significant role in building reef frameworks.1
- Serpulid tube worms: These invertebrates were also active in constructing reef buildups.1
- Microorganisms: Communities of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms were responsible for forming stromatolite mounds.1
These reef systems supported a diverse set of associated fauna, contributing to the complex marine ecosystems of the time.1