Simplastrea

Simplastrea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Subphylum: Anthozoa
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Euphylliidae
Genus: Simplastrea
Umbgrove, 1939
Species:
S. vesicularis
Binomial name
Simplastrea vesicularis
(Umbgrove, 1939)

Simplastrea is a monotypic genus of large polyp stony coral from the Indian Ocean. It is represented by a single species, Simplastrea vesicularis.

Description

Colonies of Simplastrea vesicularis are flat and encrusting with circular corallites that are spaced evenly by beaded coenosteum. It has thin walls, well-developed septae that are thin and straight with inner margins forming a columella tangle. The entire surface of Simplastrea vesicularis is covered in small tentacles displaying slight extension.

Distribution and habitat

It can be found throughout the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific in the shallow waters of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia where it encrusts rock surfaces of coral reefs.

References

  1. ↑ Hoeksema, B., Rogers, A. & Quibilan, M. (2008). Simplastrea vesicularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.1.
  2. ↑ "Simplastrea vesicularis Umbgrove, 1939". 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Australian Institute of Marine Science. "Simplastrea vesicularis". Corals of the World. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2023). "Simplastrea vesicularis Umbgrove, 1940". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. doi:10.15468/39omei.