Stylophora pistillata
| Stylophora pistillata | |
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| Species: | S. pistillata
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| Binomial name | |
| Stylophora pistillata Esper, 1797
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Stylophora pistillata (common names hood coral[2] and smooth cauliflower coral[1]) is a species of coral that is commonly used in scientific investigations. It is home to gall crabs, Trapezia crabs, boring clams, date mussels (Lithophaga), barnacles, Christmas tree worms and damselfish. Some such as Lithophaga are parasites that weaken the coral skeleton. However, boring clams bring fresh, oxygenated water into the colony and benefit the coral.[3]
Notes
- ^ a b Template:IUCN
- ^ "Stylophora pistillata". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.
- ^ Murphy, Richard C. (2002). Coral Reefs: Cities Under The Seas. The Darwin Press. ISBN 0-87850-138-X.