Astraeosmilia tumida

(Matthai, 1928)

Vernacular names
English : Tumida finger coral
French : Corail trompette tumida

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

Identification
Colonies can reach a diameter of more than 30 cm. Branching skeleton with very fleshy corallites that are at least 1.5 cm in diameter and often fusing together. Corallites less flat, with higher walls, dull cream, grey or green.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from Red Sea and east Africa to Palau and New Caledonia, to south Japan and north Australia. Lives in subtropical shallow reefs and sheltered areas, to 20 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is globally uncommon and not extensively collected for the trade. It is threatened by coral reef destruction and global warming effects.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Corals, Gorgonians, Anemones and relatives” page