Cylindrical porite (Porites cylindrica)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Porites cylindrica
- Common name
- Cylindrical porite
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Poritidae
- Genus
- Porites
- Size
- 30–200 cm
- Depth
- 1–20 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Porites cylindrica reaches 2 m colonies. Porite different from massive P. lobata, forming branching colonies with thick vertical cylindrical columns sometimes fused. Yellow-green to brown-beige color. Faster growth than massive porites. Lives from 1 to 20 m on coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed NT. Complex structure shelters many small fish (damsels, gobies) and commensal shrimp. Young Porites fragile to bleaching and acidification.
Photo of Cylindrical porite
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cylindrical porite?
- Cylindrical porite (Porites cylindrica) reaches 30–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cylindrical porite?
- Cylindrical porite is found between 1–20 m deep.
- Is the Cylindrical porite dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Cylindrical porite?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Cylindrical porite?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Porites
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 207229)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5184765)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia