Sarcophyton glaucum

(Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

Vernacular names
English : Rough leather coral
French : Corail champignon, corail cuir glauque

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Malacalcyonacea
Family : Sarcophytidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Colonies can grow up to 40 cm high and up to 80 cm in diameter. Distinctive mushroom shape with a base and open hat-like folds where polyps are based. Polyps are apart from one another and on tall thick base. Coloration beige.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from east Africa and Red Sea to south Japan, north Australia and east to French Polynesia. Found around reef flats on lagoons and seaward slopes, down to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : This is a dominant species on coral reefs but it is vulnerable to ocean acidification, warming and other threats linked to pollution and climate change.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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