Mycedium elephantotus

(Pallas, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese lettuce coral
French : Corail peau-d’éléphant

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

Identification
Colonies can reach more than 50 cm in diameter. They are usually laminar or encrusting with very large corallites facing towards edges. Coloration variable, usually brown, grey or green, sometimes with bright green or red oral disks.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and east Africa to south Japan, Australia and east to New Caledonia. Lives in most coral reefs with protection from wave action, down to at least 40 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is common in many parts of its large range but is at risk from pollution and effects of climate change and human activities on reefs.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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