Simplastrea

Simplastrea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Cnidaria
Class:Anthozoa
Order:Scleractinia
Family:Euphylliidae
Genus:Simplastrea
Umbgrove, 1939
Species: S. vesicularis
Binomial name
Simplastrea vesicularis
(Umbgrove, 1939)

Simplastrea is a monotypic genus of large polyp stony coral from the Indian Ocean. It is represented by a single species, Simplastrea vesicularis.[2]

Description

Colonies of Simplastrea vesicularis are flat and encrusting with circular corallites that are spaced evenly by beaded coenosteum.[3] It has thin walls, well-developed septae that are thin and straight with inner margins forming a columella tangle.[3] The entire surface of Simplastrea vesicularis is covered in small tentacles displaying slight extension.[3]

Distribution and habitat

It can be found throughout the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific in the shallow waters of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia where it encrusts rock surfaces of coral reefs.[3][4]

References

  1. ↑ Hoeksema, B., Rogers, A. & Quibilan, M. (2008). Simplastrea vesicularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.1.
  2. ↑ "Simplastrea vesicularis Umbgrove, 1939". 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Australian Institute of Marine Science. "Simplastrea vesicularis". Corals of the World. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility. "Simplastrea vesicularis Umbgrove, 1940". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. doi:10.15468/39omei.


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