Thanks for the reply TheReefGeek, I'm sorry, I should have been more clear in my "theory." I didn't mean that the pearl bubble spawned the plate, and I am aware of the asexual reproduction.What I was wondering if in the wild, (aka ocean) they sexualy spawn similar to (for example) oysters where when the "spawn" occurs, a conception may occur from this impersonal way of getting a date. By that I mean free floating oyster goodies hookin up!! LOL.
After which the larva free swim for a stage before attaching to a solid surface and growing it's calcium shell.
My theory is the plate coral takes this one step further. It attaches to a solid surface until it grows to a sufficient mass as to not be blown about the ocean bottom and able to anchor itself on a sandbed by it's own weight. Only then does it "de attach".
I hope that made sense, it was hard to desrcibe without major word count!
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