Platygyra daedalea

Last updated

Platygyra daedalea
Coral cerebro (Platygyra daedalea), parque nacional Ras Muhammad, Egipto, 2022-03-27, DD 70.jpg
P. daedalea from Ras Muhammad National Park, Egypt
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Merulinidae
Genus: Platygyra
Species:
P. daedalea
Binomial name
Platygyra daedalea
(Ellis & Solander, 1786) [2]
Synonyms [2]
List
  • Astroria astraeiformis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849
  • Astroria daedalea (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  • Astroria esperi Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849
  • Caeloria daedalea (Ellis & Scholander, 1786)
  • Coeloria astraeiformis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Coeloria daedalea (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  • Coeloria esperi (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Coeloria rustica (Dana, 1846)
  • Madrepora daedalea Ellis & Solander, 1786
  • Maeandra astraeiformis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Maeandra daedalea (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  • Maeandrina daedalea (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Maeandrina rustica Dana, 1846
  • Meandra daedalea(Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  • Meandra esperi(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Meandrina daedalea (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
  • Platygyra astraeiformis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Platygyra esperi (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849)
  • Platygyra rustica (Dana, 1846)

Platygyra daedalea, sometimes known as the lesser valley coral, is a colonial species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It occurs on reefs in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a common species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern". [1]

Contents

Description

Platygyra daedalea usually forms massive dome or boulder-shaped colonies which may be a metre (yard) or more in diameter; however, sometimes it forms flattened plates or it may be encrusting. The polyps are situated in meandering valleys with low walls between them which are often perforated. The septa are toothed and protuberant, usually with uneven or pointed tips. There is an obvious ridge, the columella, in the centre of the valley. The colour varies and there may be contrasting valleys and ridges. This coral can be distinguished from the similar but less common Platygyra lamellina by the fact that the valleys are wider and the walls between them have more vertical sides and have flatter tops. [3] [4]

Distribution and habitat

Platygyra daedalea is a common species with a widespread distribution in the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from Madagascar, the east coast of Africa, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, to Australia, Indonesia, Japan and the South China Sea. It is present in various reef environments, particularly on back reef slopes, from subtidal rocks down to about 30 metres (100 ft). It is particularly common in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea. [1]

Ecology

P. daedalea with polyps expanded Platygyra daedalea, polipos.jpg
P. daedalea with polyps expanded

The polyps of P. daedalea expand at night to catch planktonic particles floating by. However, this coral obtains most of its nourishment from the dinoflagellates known as zooxanthellae it houses within its tissues. These provide organic carbon and nitrogen, the products of photosynthesis, to their host. To benefit from this symbiotic arrangement, P. daedalea needs to grow in shallow, sunlit environments. [4]

Platygyra daedalea is an aggressive coral and seeks to prevent competitors from overshadowing it. Researchers placed small colonies of this species alongside similar-sized colonies of the less-aggressive Favites complanata . Some of the tentacles of P. daedalea developed into sweeper tentacles which then inflicted damage on the soft tissues of the adjoining F. complanata. These sweeper tentacles were up to 90 millimetres (3.5 in) in length, about fifteen times as long as a normal tentacle, and well armed with cnidocytes. The soft tissue damage was extensive, the skeleton was laid bare in places and sponges, algae and other fouling organisms grew on it. Three of the ten corals that were attacked eventually died. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Galaxea fascicularis</i> Species of coral

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.

<i>Plerogyra sinuosa</i> Species of coral

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, and pearl coral. According to the IUCN, Plerogyra sinuosa ranges from the Red Sea and Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean to Okinawa and the Line Islands in the Pacific.

<i>Scolymia lacera</i> Species of coral

Scolymia lacera, the fleshy disk coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Mussidae. It occurs on reefs in shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and southern Florida.

<i>Isophyllia sinuosa</i> Species of coral

Isophyllia sinuosa, the sinuous cactus coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Mussidae. It is found in shallow water in the tropical western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.

<i>Lobophyllia hemprichii</i> Species of coral

Lobophyllia hemprichii, commonly called lobed brain coral, lobed cactus coral or largebrain root coral, is a species of large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. In its specific name Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg honoured his late partner the Prussian naturalist Wilhelm Hemprich; they were among the first to study the marine life of the Red Sea.

<i>Acropora microphthalma</i> Species of coral

Acropora microphthalma is a species of acroporid coral 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 is also found in the Line Islands. It occurs in shallow tropical reefs on upper reef slopes, in turbid water and in sandy lagoons. It can be found from depths of 5–25 m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Branch coral</span> Species of coral

The branch coral is a species of acroporid coral found in the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan and the East China Sea, Cook Islands and the oceanic west Pacific Ocean. It can be found in shallow reefs on the reef tops, walls and slopes to depths of 30 m.

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.

<i>Alveopora spongiosa</i> Species of coral

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 verrilliana is a species of stony coral that is found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea, the oceanic west and central Pacific Ocean and the Johnston Atoll. It can also be found in Palau and the southern Mariana Islands. It grows on shallow coral reefs to a depth of 30 metres (100 ft). It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching and is harvested for the aquarium trade.

<i>Goniastrea retiformis</i> Species of coral

Goniastrea retiformis is a species of stony corals in the family Merulinidae. It is native to shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Paragoniastrea australensis</i> Species of coral

Paragoniastrea australensis, also known as the lesser star coral, is a species of stony corals in the family Merulinidae. It occurs in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Turbinaria peltata</i> Species of cnidarian

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".

<i>Favites pentagona</i> Species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae

Favites pentagona is a species of stony coral in the family Merulinidae, sometimes known as larger star coral. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region and its range extends from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific Ocean. This is a common species throughout its wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<i>Coelastrea aspera</i> Species of stony coral

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".

<i>Agaricia tenuifolia</i> Species of coral

Agaricia tenuifolia, commonly known as thin leaf lettuce coral, is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Agariciidae. This coral is found in shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

<i>Favites complanata</i> Species of coral

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".

<i>Platygyra lamellina</i> Species of coral

Platygyra lamellina, the hard brain coral, is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It occurs on reefs in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "near threatened".

<i>Oulophyllia crispa</i> Species of coral

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".

<i>Heliofungia actiniformis</i> Species of coral

Heliofungia actiniformis is a solitary species of mushroom coral, a large polyp stony coral in the family Fungiidae. This coral is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a zooxanthellate species. It is a popular coral in the reef aquarium trade; wild populations are threatened by disease, climate change, and over-collecting, and the species is considered vulnerable by the IUCN.

References

  1. 1 2 3 DeVantier, L.; Hodgson, G.; Huang, D.; Johan, O.; Licuanan, A.; Obura, D.O.; Sheppard, C.; Syahrir, M.; Turak, E. (2014). "Platygyra daedalea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T133468A54267376. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133468A54267376.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Hoeksema, Bert (2015). "Platygyra daedalea (Ellis & Solander, 1786)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  3. ↑ Chang-feng Dai; Sharon Horng (2009). 台灣石珊瑚誌. 國立臺灣大學出版中心. p. 116. ISBN   978-986-01-8745-8.
  4. 1 2 "Brain coral (Platygyra daedalea)". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  5. ↑ Lapid, Einat D.; Chadwick, Nannette E. (2006). "Long-term effects of competition on coral growth and sweeper tentacle development" (PDF). Marine Ecology Progress Series. 313: 115–123. Bibcode:2006MEPS..313..115L. doi: 10.3354/meps313115 .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.