Veron's tube coral
Echinopora ashmorensis
This distinctive species was first described from Ashmore Reef in Western Australia. Colonies over 2m across have been observed growing in shallow protected lagoonal habitats at Ashmore Reef.
Morphology
The distinctive coral forms colonies composed almost entirely of tubes. Colonies may be over 2m across. Corallites are >5mm diameter and the costae and coenosteum are highly granulated.
Evolution
This species is one of 15 within the Genus Echinopora. The genus belongs within the Family Merulinidae (previously Family Favidae).
Behaviour
This species is a zooxanthellate organism meaning that it houses a small photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) through which it obtains energy.
Method of reproduction
Hermaphrodite; Spawner
Habitat
Marine
This species occurs in shallow, protected tropical reef environments. This species is found on the back slope, in lagoons, and in inter-reef soft substrate. It can be found on the foreslope as well. This species is found to at least 20 m.
Distribution
Found in SE Asia and the Eastern Indian Ocean including Tropical Western Australia to the Abrolhos Island.
Life Cycle
Broadcast spawner, where gametes are release for external fertilization and the planulae develops in the plankton.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Subclass: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Merulinidae |
| Genus: | Echinopora |
| Species: | ashmorensis |
| Name Published Year: | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Veron |
| Commercial Impact: | Rarely collected for the aquarium industry. |
| Conservation Assessment: | Vulnerable |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/echinopora-ashmorensis
Accessed 16 Jun 2024
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