Stylophora pistillata

Stylophora pistillata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Pocilloporidae
Genus: Stylophora
Species: S. pistillata
Binomial name
Stylophora pistillata
Esper, 1797

Stylophora pistillata (common names hood coral[2] and smooth cauliflower coral[1]) is a species of coral that is commonly used in scientific investigations. It is home to gall crabs, Trapezia crabs, boring clams, date mussels (Lithophaga), barnacles, Christmas tree worms and damselfish. Some such as Lithophaga are parasites that weaken the coral skeleton. However, boring clams bring fresh, oxygenated water into the colony and benefit the coral.[3]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Hoeksema, B.; Rogers, A. & Quibilan, M. (2008). "Stylophora pistillata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature.
  2. WoRMS. "Stylophora pistillata". World Register of Marine Species.
  3. Murphy, Richard C. (2002). Coral Reefs: Cities Under The Seas. The Darwin Press. ISBN 0-87850-138-X.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/9/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.