Dipsastraea lizardensis

(Veron, Pichon & Wijsman-Best, 1977)

Vernacular names
English : Lizard’s head coral
French : Corail ananas de Lizard

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

Identification
The species grows in huge massive colonies reaching more than 2 meters across. Corallites are circular, very regular, with rounded walls, visible costae and regular septae. Coloration is pink-brown with clear green or cream oral disks.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to the Line islands, north to South Japan, south to North Australia. Lives in shallow upper reef slopes and lagoons, down to 20 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is less and less common within its huge range. It is impacted by climate change and other factors causing habitat destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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