Echinopora pacifica

(Veron, 1990)

Vernacular names
English : Hedgehog coral
French : Corail hérisson

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

Identification
Colonies are plate-like often with thick laminar edges. Corallites are spread out but thick, growing to 1 cm in diameter, with visible septa giving a rough aspect. Colony has velvet-like appearance. Coloration green, yellowish or brown.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the eastern Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, from the Andaman island and Indonesia, east to Marshall Islands. Lives in shallow reef areas such as lagoons and subtidal reefs, to 15 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : This species is widespread, common and dominant where it occurs but, like most corals, it is heavily threatened by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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