Echinophyllia aspera | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hexacorallia |
Order: | Scleractinia |
Family: | Lobophylliidae |
Genus: | Echinophyllia |
Species: | E. aspera |
Binomial name | |
Echinophyllia aspera (Ellis & Solander, 1786) [2] | |
Synonyms [2] | |
List
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Echinophyllia aspera, commonly known as the Chalice coral, is a species of large polyp stony corals in the family Lobophylliidae. It is a colonial coral which is partly encrusting and partly forms laminate plates or tiers. It is native to the western and central Indo-Pacific.
Colonies of E. aspera are quite diverse in form and may be up to 60 cm (2 ft) across. Some are encrusting but others are hummocky or have thickened sections, with plates, whorls or tiers which tend to lie parallel to the underlying surface. The corallites (stony cups in which the polyps sit) are usually level with the surface but may be protuberant in some colonies. They are normally only on the upper surface of leaves and plates. [2] Small colonies may have a large central corallite and a number of widely spaced peripheral ones, with septo-costae (stony ridges) radiating from the central one. As the colony grows, the distinction between the main and peripheral corallites is lost. [3] The septo-costae are spiny on the upper surfaces but the costae on the lower surfaces are smooth. This coral is usually some shade of brown, green or red, sometimes with the oral discs of the polyps being a contrasting colour. [2] This coral is easily confused with Oxypora lacera underwater. [4]
E. aspera is native to the western and central Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the Red Sea and Madagascar to Japan, Australia and many Pacific island groups. [1] Although some colonies are found near the crests of reefs in shallow water, it is more common at middle depths of between 10 and 30 m (30 and 100 ft) where it is generally found in sheltered fore reef habitats where it has a preference for shaded locations. [2]
Corals are principally threatened by habitat loss due to the destruction of reefs and by global warming. However, E. aspera is likely to be more resilient than some other species because it is widespread and common, and occurs at mid-depths. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has therefore rated its conservation status as being of "least concern". [1]
Favia is a genus of reef-building stony corals in the family Mussidae. Members of the genus are massive or thickly encrusting colonial corals, either dome-shaped or flat, and a few are foliaceous. There is a great diversity of form even among individuals of the same species. The corallites project slightly above the surface of the coral and each has its own wall. In most species, the corallites are plocoid and in some, monocentric. The septa and costae linked to the corallite wall are well developed and covered by fine teeth. The polyps only extend and feed during the night. Each one has a small number of tapering tentacles which often have a darker coloured tip; these are called stinger tentacles, or sweeper tentacles. They use these to sweep the water to see if any other coral is in its area; if so, then they begin to sting the other coral. This is commonly known as coral war. Each coral is trying to make sure it has enough room around it so it can continue to grow and have more surface area for its offspring. The columella is parietal and spongy, and there are vesicles on both the endotheca and exotheca. Members of this genus are widespread in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific.
Fungia is a genus of corals in the family Fungiidae. It is monotypic with the single species Fungia fungites, which is found growing on reefs in the Indo-Pacific.
Pseudodiploria clivosa, the knobby brain coral, is a colonial species of stony coral in the family Mussidae. It occurs in shallow water in the West Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
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.
Orbicella franksi, commonly known as Boulder star coral, is a colonial stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It is native to shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Florida, and is listed as a "vulnerable species" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Turbinaria stellulata, also 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".
Agaricia agaricites, commonly known as lettuce coral or tan lettuce-leaf coral, is a species of colonial stony corals in the family Agariciidae. This coral is found in shallow waters in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The IUCN has assessed its status as being Vulnerable.
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".
Pavona bipartita, sometimes known as leaf coral, is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Agariciidae. It is found in shallow water, on reef slopes and on vertical surfaces, in tropical parts of the western and central Indo-Pacific region.
Goniastrea favulus, also known as the lesser star coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It occurs in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region. This is an uncommon species of coral and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "near threatened".
Euphylliidae are known as a family of polyped stony corals under the order Scleractinia.
Pavona maldivensis is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Agariciidae. It is found on shallow reef slopes, particularly those with strong wave action, and on vertical surfaces, in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Oxypora is a genus of large polyp stony corals. Members of this genus are colonial corals and are generally foliaceous, usually with very thin leaves. They are native to the Indo-Pacific and are sometimes found in reef aquariums.
Oxypora glabra is a species of large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae. It is a colonial coral with thin encrusting laminae. It is native to the central Indo-Pacific.
Oxypora lacera, the ragged chalice coral or porous lettuce coral, is a species of large polyp stony corals in the family Lobophylliidae. It is a colonial coral which can be submassive, encrusting or laminar. It is native to the western Indo-Pacific.
Pocillopora fungiformis is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It is native to Madagascar. It is a mostly encrusting species and grows in patches up to 2 m (7 ft) across.
Horastrea is a monotypic genus of stony coral in the family Coscinaraeidae. It is represented by the single species Horastrea indica, the blister coral. It is native to the southwestern Indian Ocean where it is found in shallow water sandy reefs. It was first described by M Pichon in 1971. It is an uncommon coral and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being a "vulnerable species".