Porites furcata
Porites furcata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hexacorallia |
Order: | Scleractinia |
Family: | Poritidae |
Genus: | Porites |
Species: | P. furcata
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Binomial name | |
Porites furcata | |
Synonyms | |
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Porites furcata, commonly known as hump coral, thin finger coral or branched finger coral, is a species of stony coral in the genus Porites. It is found in the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean.
Description
Porites furcata is a colonial coral forming clumps of short, slender lobes with rounded tips, often densely packed together. It sometimes forms extensive patches several square metres (yards) in area. The colour of this coral is yellow or pale brown and the lobes grow to a diameter of 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in). The interior parts of the coral often have a purplish tinge and are dead, perhaps killed off by the increased shading and lack of water circulation caused by newer growth above. This species is intermediate in appearance between Porites porites which has branches 2.5 cm (1 in) wide and Porites divaricata, the branches of which are under 1 cm (0.4 in) wide.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
Porites furcata is found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and southern Florida from low water mark down to depths of about 20 metres (66 ft). It has not been found in Bermuda.[3] Its preferred habitat is back reefs but it also occurs in other parts of the reef.[5] In areas where this species is common, the dead, basal parts of the coral are responsible for most of the coral rubble on the reef. Grooves can sometimes be seen cutting across the colonies of this species. These are caused by heavy detached chunks of massive coral being moved across the reef during severe storms.[3] Fossils of this species have been found in Florida dating back to the Pleistocene.[3]
Ecology
Porites furcata is a
The niches and crevices in this coral are home to a range of invertebrates and other organisms including brittle stars, sea urchins, polychaete worms, chitons and algae.[3]
Status
Porites furcata is listed as being of "
References
- ^ . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b van der Land, Jacob (2012). "Porites furcata Lamarck, 1816". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^ ISBN 0-86622-875-6.
- ^ "Porites furcat Lamarck 1816". Coralpedia. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^ a b "Thin finger coral (Porites furcata)". Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving. Marine Species Identification Portal. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ISBN 0-03-030504-7.