Dichocoenia stellaris

Dichocoenia stellaris, commonly known as pancake star coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Meandrinidae. It is found in the West Indies and the Bahamas. Its form is a flat, platform-like structure and it is usually found in deeper water than the closely related pineapple coral (Dichocoenia stokesi). Some authorities consider these to be the same species ^[2] while other authorities regard them as distinct.^[1]

Description

Dichocoenia stellaris is a massive colonial coral that forms thick plates. The corallites, the stony cups that support the coral polyps, are round or slightly elongated and seldom Y-shaped, a fact that distinguishes this species from Dichocoenia stokesi which has very irregular corallites. The colour is usuarly green, olive or brown.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Dichocoenia stellaris occurs in the Bahamas, Bonaire, Puerto Rico and Jamaica,^[3] the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and southern Florida.^[4] It grows at depths ranging from 2 to 72 metres (6 to 236 feet). The corallites are larger and more prominent in individuals growing at greater depths.^[3]

References

Corals and coral reefs Stony corals Scleractinia Blue coral Brain coral Elkhorn coral Hermatypic coral Chalice coral Pillar coral Staghorn coral Table coral Soft corals Alcyonacea Black coral Bamboo coral Organ pipe coral Sea fans Sea pens Coral reefs Atoll reef Cay Fringing reef Microatoll Coral reef fish Census of Coral Reefs The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs Catlin Seaview Survey Coral regions Deep-water coral African coral reefs Andros, Bahamas Belize Barrier Reef Coral Sea Islands Coral Triangle Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Great Barrier Reef Maldives Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System New Caledonia Barrier Reef Pulley Ridge Raja Ampat Islands Red Sea Southeast Asian coral reefs Coral diseases Coral bleaching Black band disease Skeletal eroding band White band disease White pox disease Protection Coral Reef Alliance Coral reef protection Green Fins International Society for Reef Studies Project AWARE Reef Check Reef Ball Other Artificial reef Coral aquaculture Coral dermatitis Coral (precious) Coral rag Coral reef organizations Coral sand Coralline algae Human impact Fire coral Reef resilience Rugosa (extinct) Symbiodinium Tabulate (extinct)