Lobophyllia hemprichii

(Ehrenberg, 1834)

Vernacular names
English : Large brain root coral
French : Corail-cerveau

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

Identification
Colonies are usually flat and can reach more than 5 meters across. Polyps are very fleshy, with living tissue being either smooth or warty. Coloration highly variable but can be quite bright. Polyps from same colony have same aspect.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from Red Sea and East Africa to South Japan, Great Barrier Reef and east to Polynesia. Mostly found on upper reef slopes, at depths from 9 to 50 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is sometimes common but 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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