Seriatopora is a genus of colonial stony corals in the family Pocilloporidae. They are commonly known as needle corals, birdsnest corals or finger corals. They are native to the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific region and some parts of the Central Pacific Ocean.[2]
Seriatopora | |
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Seriatopora hystrix | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hexacorallia |
Order: | Scleractinia |
Family: | Pocilloporidae |
Genus: | Seriatopora Lamarck, 1816 [1] |
Species | |
See text
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Characteristics edit
Members of this genus form small bushes with anastomising (linking) branches. The branch tips are sharply tapered and the growth forms are variable, depending on the level of light and the movement of water. The corallites are arranged in neat rows and the polyps only extend at night. The colour of these corals can be yellow, orange, pink, green or brown.[1][2]
Species edit
The following species are listed in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS):[1]
- Seriatopora aculeata Quelch, 1886
- Seriatopora caliendrum Ehrenberg, 1834
- Seriatopora dentritica Veron, 2000
- Seriatopora guttata Veron, 2000
- Seriatopora hystrix Dana, 1846
- Seriatopora octoptera Ehrenberg, 1834
- Seriatopora stellata Quelch, 1886
References edit
- ^ a b c Hoeksema, B. (2014). "Seriatopora Lamarck, 1816". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
- ^ a b Sprung, Julian (1999). Corals: A quick reference guide. Ricordea Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 1-883693-09-8.