Smooth cauliflower coral (Stylophora pistillata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Stylophora pistillata
- Common name
- Smooth cauliflower coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Pocilloporidae
- Genus
- Stylophora
- Size
- 10–40 cm
- Depth
- 1–60 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Stylophora pistillata reaches 40 cm. Hard coral forming branching colonies with short, stout branches with rounded tips (pistil). Pink, purple, pink-brown or greenish color depending on zooxanthellae. Nocturnal extractile polyps. Lives from 1 to 60 m on coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed NT. Reference model species for research in ecophysiology and coral reproduction (asexual, sexual reproduction, planula). Abundant, significant presence of reef health.
Photo of Smooth cauliflower coral
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Smooth cauliflower coral?
- Smooth cauliflower coral (Stylophora pistillata) reaches 10–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Smooth cauliflower coral?
- Smooth cauliflower coral is found between 1–60 m deep.
- Is the Smooth cauliflower coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Smooth cauliflower coral?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Smooth cauliflower coral?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Pocilloporidae
- Seriatopora hystrix - Bird's nest coral
- Madracis pharensis - Pillar coral Med
- Pocillopora damicornis - Cauliflower coral
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 206982)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4976552)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia