Platygyra daedalea

(Ellis & Solander, 1786)

Vernacular names
English : Lesser valley coral
French : Corail-cerveau dédale

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

Identification
Colonies, when massive can grow to over 1 m across. They can also be flat or encrusting. The skeleton forms meandering valleys with tall vertical walls with flattened tops. Coloration usually beige brown, sometimes with green valleys.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from Red Sea and East Africa to Madagascar, east to South Japan and North Australia. Lives in back reef slopes, from subtidal rocks near surface to about 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is declining because of coral reef destruction and climate change (water acidification and warming). It will soon need reassessment.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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