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.[3]
| Pocillopora fungiformis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Pocilloporidae |
| Genus: | Pocillopora |
| Species: | P. fungiformis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pocillopora fungiformis Veron, 2000 [2]
| |
Description
editColonies of P. fungiformis are generally encrusting, and can be 2 m (7 ft) across. larger colonies additionally have bifurcating upright or sloping branches which tend to have flattened ends, and which can grow to 20 cm (8 in) in length. Irregular verrucae (lumpy skeletal outgrowths) grow on the surface of the coral, and on branches growing at oblique angles, the verrucae are more abundant on the upper side. The individual corallites (stony cups in which the polyps sit) are small and crowded, each having one septum (stony ridge) more developed than the rest. This coral is some shade of greenish-brown.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editP. fungiformis is endemic to Madagascar where it is found on the north end of the island and the south end. It prefers shallow reef habitats with strong water movement, to a maximum depth of 15 m (49 ft).[1][3]
Status
editP. fungiformis has a small range and is an uncommon species. It is particularly susceptible to bleaching and coral diseases and the reefs where it lives are under threat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "endangered".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Hoeksema, B.; Rogers, A.; Quibilan, M. (2008). "Pocillopora fungiformis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T133552A3799217. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133552A3799217.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Hoeksema, Bert (2017). "Pocillopora fungiformis Veron, 2000". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ a b c "Pocillopora fungiformis". Coral fact sheets. AIMS. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
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