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Flat Lettuce Coral

Echinophyllia aspera (Ellis & Solander 1786)

Echinophyllia aspera

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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.

Description

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]

Distribution and habitat

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]

Status

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sheppard, A.; Fenner, D.; Edwards, A.; Abrar, M.; Ochavillo, D. (2014). "Echinophyllia aspera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T133172A54206928. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133172A54206928.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hoeksema, Bert (2014). "Echinophyllia aspera (Ellis & Solander, 1786)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Echinophyllia aspera". Australian Institute of Marine Science. 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  4. ^ Hoeksema, Bert (2014). "Oxypora lacera (Verrill, 1864)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
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Echinophyllia aspera: Brief Summary

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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.

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Biology

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zooxanthellate

Reference

van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).

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Jacob van der Land [email]

Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Corals are encrusting to foliaceous, sometimes 60 cm across. The range of form is large. Corallites are most commonly fairly flush with the surface, but some colonies show protuberant corallites or may have extremely exsert and swollen primary septa. Others have protruding corallites and may intergrade with Echinophyllia orpheensis. Calices mostly face upwards, perpendicular to the plane of the leaf. The septo-costae are usually spiny, and the costae on the undersurface of leaves are smooth or ridged, but do not bear spines. Like most pectiniids this species occurs in mid to deep water. In that region it is fairly abundant on sheltered reefs. Unlike most foliaceous corals, however, it is also found in shallow water, sometimes forming large colonies near the reef crest. Colonies may reach 50 cm across, and although foliaceous, they always hug the surface closely. (Sheppard, 1998 ) Colonies are partly encrusting laminae. Central parts may be hillocky and submassive, peripheral parts may be contorted or form whorls and tiers. Corallites have toothed rather than beaded costae and no paliform lobes. Colour: brown, green and red are most common, usually with red or green oral discs, often mottled. Abundance: common over a wide range of habitats, especially lower reef slopes, lagoons and fringing reefs. (Veron, 1986 ) Forms encrusting plates. Colour: may be brown, green or red, and are often mottled. Polyps are usually a different colour from the colony, with bright red or green mouths (oral discs). Habitat: diverse. (Richmond, 1997)

Reference

Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 118 (Includes a picture).

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