| Blastomussa wellsi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In New Caledonia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | Blastomussa |
| Species: | B. wellsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Blastomussa wellsi Wijsman-Best, 1973 [2] | |
Blastomussa wellsi is a species of large polyp stony coral. It is unclear in which family the genus Blastomussa belongs. [2] This coral is found in the west and central Indo-Pacific region.
A colony of Blastomussa wellsi consists of a small group of corallites each with its own fleshy polyp. The mantle extends from the polyp over the corallite wall and obscures the underlying skeletal structure. The corallites are 9 to 14 millimetres (0.35 to 0.55 in) in diameter. The septa have small blunt teeth and are not arranged in orders. Some reach the columella in the centre of the calyx. This coral is brightly coloured, being dark red, green, grey or blue, often with contrasting oral discs. [3]
The soft tissues of this coral contain symbiotic zooxanthellae which use sunlight to create organic compounds by photosynthesis which provide most of the coral's nutritional needs. The polyps supplement this by the capture of zooplankton with their tentacles and absorption of dissolved organic matter from the water. [4]
This coral is hermaphrodite. Sperm and eggs are liberated into the water column where fertilisation takes place. The planula larvae form part of the plankton and drift with the currents. When they settle on the sea bed, they undergo metamorphosis into polyps. These secrete calcium carbonate to form the coral skeleton and multiply by extra-tentacular budding to form a new colony. [4]
Blastomussa wellsi is an uncommon species of coral with a widespread distribution. The population trend is unknown but it is probable that the number of mature colonies is decreasing as a result of destruction of its reef habitats. It is also collected for the aquarium trade, Indonesia exporting 3,800 live pieces in 2005. Its conservation status has been assessed as being "near-threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. [1]
Pillar coral is a hard coral found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Dendrogyra. It is a digitate coral -that is, it resembles fingers or a cluster of cigars, growing up from the sea floor without any secondary branching. It is large and can grow on both flat and sloping surfaces at depths down to 20 m (65 ft). It is one of the few types of hard coral in which the polyps can commonly be seen feeding during the day.
Homophyllia bowerbanki is a vulnerable species of coral found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This species is moderately common, but it is threatened by crown-of-thorns starfish predation and habitat loss.
Galaxea fascicularis is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Euphylliidae, commonly known as octopus coral, fluorescence grass coral, galaxy coral among various vernacular names.
Plerogyra sinuosa is a jelly-like species of the phylum Cnidaria. It is commonly called "bubble coral" due to its bubbly appearance. The "bubbles" are grape-sized which increase their surface area according to the amount of light available: they are larger during the day, but smaller during the night, when tentacles reach out to capture food. This species requires low light and a gentle water flow. Common names for Plerogyra sinuosa include "grape coral", bladder coral, pearl coral and branching bubble coral. According to the IUCN, Plerogyra Sinuosa ranges from the Red Sea and Madagascar in the eastern Indian Ocean to Okinawa and the Line Islands in the Pacific.
Eusmilia is a genus of stony coral in the family Meandrinidae. It is a monotypic genus represented by the species Eusmilia fastigiata, commonly known as the smooth flower coral. It is found on reefs in the Caribbean Sea.
Mussa is a genus of stony coral in the family Mussidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Mussa angulosa, commonly known as the spiny or large flower coral. It is found on reefs in shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas and the Gulf of Mexico.
Diploastrea heliopora, commonly known as diploastrea brain coral or honeycomb coral among other vernacular names, is a species of hard coral in the family Diploastreidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. This species can form massive dome-shaped colonies of great size.
Micromussa regularis is a species of coral found in Indo-Pacific waters from Australia to the western Pacific Ocean. It is usually uncommon throughout its range, but can be more common locally. It has a narrow depth range, and so is susceptible to coral bleaching and disease. It is also threatened by the global decline in coral reef habitats.
Alveopora fenestrata is a species of stony coral that is found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia and the oceanic west Pacific Ocean. It can be found in shallow coral reefs, to a depth of 30 metres (100 ft). It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching.
Alveopora spongiosa is a species of stony coral that is found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic west and central Pacific Ocean. It can be found on protected upper coral reef slopes, generally from depth of 9–20 m, but can grow at depths of up to 50 m. It is moderately susceptible to coral bleaching, and is harvested for the aquarium trade.
Alveopora viridis is a species of stony coral that has a highly disjunct range, and can be found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the northern Indian Ocean and in Palau and the Mariana Islands. It is found on lower coral reef slopes to depths of 50 m. It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching and is harvested for the aquarium trade.
Goniastrea retiformis is a species of stony corals in the family Merulinidae. It is native to shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.
Turbinaria mesenterina, commonly known as disc coral, is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Dendrophylliidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "vulnerable".
Turbinaria peltata, commonly known as disc coral, is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Dendrophylliidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "vulnerable".
Coelastrea aspera is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It is a colonial species native to the Indo-Pacific region where it occurs in shallow water. It was first described by the American zoologist Addison Emery Verrill in 1866 as Goniastrea aspera but it has since been determined that it should be in a different genus and its scientific name has been changed to Coelastrea aspera. This is a common species throughout much of its wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Favites complanata is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae, sometimes known as the larger star coral. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region and its range extends from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western and central Pacific Ocean. This is an uncommon species of coral and seems to be decreasing in abundance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "near threatened".
Oulophyllia crispa, sometimes called the intermediate valley coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It is native to the tropical western and central Indo-Pacific region. Although this coral has a wide range, it is generally uncommon and seems to be decreasing in abundance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "near threatened".
Blastomussa merleti, commonly known as pineapple coral, is a species of large polyp stony coral. It is unclear in which family the genus Blastomussa belongs. This coral is native to the west and central Indo-Pacific region and is sometimes used in reef aquaria.
Manicina areolata, commonly known as rose coral, is a colonial species of stony coral. It occurs in shallow water in the West Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, sometimes as small solid heads and sometimes as unattached cone-shaped forms.
Stylophora madagascarensis is a species of stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It is native to the tropical western Indian Ocean where it is confined to the coasts of Madagascar, growing in shallow water.
