Lesser valley coral (Turbinaria mesenterina)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Turbinaria mesenterina
- Common name
- Lesser valley coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Dendrophylliidae
- Genus
- Turbinaria
- Size
- 30–200 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Turbinaria mesenterina forms colonies in wide foliose wavy plates resembling lettuce leaves, 30 cm to 2 m across. Brown to olive-green color. Remarkable tolerance to turbid and slightly polluted waters makes it one of the most environmentally stress-resistant corals in the Indo-Pacific. Present from the Persian Gulf to Polynesia between 1 and 30 m. IUCN Vulnerable from bleaching and habitat destruction.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Lesser valley coral?
- Lesser valley coral (Turbinaria mesenterina) reaches 30–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Lesser valley coral?
- Lesser valley coral is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Lesser valley coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Lesser valley coral?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Lesser valley coral?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Turbinaria
- Turbinaria reniformis - Yellow scroll coral
- Turbinaria ornata - Ornate Turbinaria
- Turbinaria conoides - Conical Turbinaria
Other species in the family Dendrophylliidae
- Tubastraea micranthus - Branching cup coral
- Leptopsammia pruvoti - Yellow solitary coral
- Astroides calycularis - Mediterranean orange coral
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 207511)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5184547)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia