Stylophora (coral)

Stylophora
Stylophora pistillata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Pocilloporidae
Genus: Stylophora
Schweigger, 1820 [1]
Species
See text
Synonyms[1]
  • Sideropora Blainville, 1830

Stylophora is a genus of colonial stony corals in the family Pocilloporidae. They are commonly known as cat's paw corals or birdsnest corals. They are native to the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific region and eastwards as far as the Pitcairn Islands.[2]

Characteristics

Members of this genus are branching corals. The finger-like branches vary in width and have blunt tips. The growth forms and colours are variable depending on many factors, including the level of light and the amount of water movement. The colour may be orange, pink, magenta, purple, green or brown.[2]

Species

The following species are listed in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS):[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hoeksema, B. (2018). "Stylophora Schweigger, 1820". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  2. ^ a b Sprung, Julian (1999). Corals: A quick reference guide. Ricordea Publishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN 1-883693-09-8.


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