Blastomussa wellsi

(Wijsman-Best, 1973)

Vernacular names
English : Big polyp blastomussa coral
French : Blastomussa de Wells

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Scleractinia
Family : Plerogyridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Colonies are fairly small, reaching up to 50 cm in diameter. Polyps are up to 2 cm in diameter when mantle fully extended. Mantle sides are warty-looking, polyp exterior is smooth. Color is red, dark green or grey with bright green oral disk.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region from Red Sea to Indonesia, South Japan, Australia, Fiji and western Pacific islands. Lives in turbid waters and reefs protected from wave action, down to 40 m depth.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is globally uncommon. Climatic changes leading to acidification and warming of water is a serious threat for stony corals in general.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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