Galaxea

Galaxea
Galaxea fascicularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Oculinidae
Genus: Galaxea
Oken, 1815 [1]
Species
See text

Galaxea is a genus of colonial stony corals in the family Oculinidae. Common names include crystal, galaxy, starburst and tooth coral. They are abundant on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea. [2] They are found in water less than 20 metres (66 ft) deep and favour turbid sites.[3] They are sometimes kept in reef aquaria.[4]

Description

The colonies of Galaxea have various forms according to species. G. fascicularis forms long, thin columns and is one of the largest corals known. G. paucisepta and G. longisepta form flat plates, G. acrhelia is arborescent and other species form domes and rounded mounds. Their colours are mostly olives or browns but they are often tinged with purple. The corallites in which the individual polyps sit are small and crowded and have raised edges or may even be stalked. There are a large number of fine septa on the edge of the corallites, arranged in whorls and protruding as sharp ridges. The polyps contain symbiotic microalgae called zooxanthellae and grow in shallow water to maximise the uptake of sunlight.[2] They often feed in the day, extending yellowish or greenish, often white tipped tentacles.[3] They have certain specialised sweeper tentacles, long defensive organs which discourage other corals from living close by.[4]

Species

The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 WoRMS (2010). "Galaxea, Oken, 1815". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Family Oculinidae: Galaxea Horizon. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 WoRMS (2010). "Galaxea fascicularis (Linnaeus, 1767)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Galaxea Tidal Gardens. Retrieved 2011-12-16.