Paragoniastrea australensis

(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857)

Vernacular names
English : Lesser star coral
French : Corail étoile austral

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

Identification
Colonies can grow to nearly 1 m across. They’re usually submassive or partly encrusting. Meandroid aspect with long sinuous valleys bordered by thick roundish walls. Variable coloration, usually brown or green with contrasting valleys.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to south Japan, Australia, Lord Howe Island, east to Marquesas islands. Lives in clear water reefs, subtidal rocky reefs, outer reef slopes, to 40 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is still common and widespread within its range. Vulnerable long term to coral reef degradation and climate change. Rarely collected.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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