Corals of the genus Euphyllia
COMMON NAME IN FRENCH : coraux du genre Euphyllia ENGLISH NAME: Torch coral, Hammer coral, Anchor coral, Frogspawn coral, Fine grape coral, Whiskers
LATIN NAME: Euphyllia sp.
FAMILY : Caryophylliidae
In the exhibition: corals of the genus Euphyllia and in particular Euphyllia divisa can be viewed in the Biodiversity Zone, after the Tropical Lagoon.
Geographic distribution : corals of the genus Euphyllia can be found in the Red Sea and in the Indo-Pacific as far as the Samoan Islands.
Habitat: they live in coral reefs at depths of between 2 and 35 m.
Description: corals of the genus Euphyllia are hard corals which live in colonies. Their polyps are very large and their skeletons (corallites) are made up of long individual tubes (phaceloids). In colony formations these form valleys but which never share a common wall (such a formation is known as ‘flabello meandroid’). They belong to the group of madreporic reef building corals. Differences between species are not always clear because their skeletons are identical and their polyps display common or intermediate characteristics.
Diet: these corals feed on plankton.
Threats and protective measures: corals of the genus Euphyllia are protected by the Washington Convention.
Moreover, since 2008, Euphyllia cristata has been listed on the IUCN’s international Red List of threatened species.
Species characteristics and ability to occupy an ecosystem niche in the context of biodiversity: like all hard corals, Euphyllia are reef builders.Corals in this genus can reproduce asexually.Moreover, Euphyllia’s stinging tentacles can cause severe skin irritation.
Resilience: corals of the genus Euphyllia are ancient corals. They appear in the fossil record in the Eocene in Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. They date back to the time when mammals were taking their first steps on land.
Services provided to humanity in the fields of medical research, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products: corals of the genus Euphyllia are reef builders. With other species, they contribute to the creation of the one of the most important, diverse and complex ecosystems on the planet.Apart from their ecological value, coral reefs are economically significant and have important social and cultural functions for nearby countries (they provide natural protection for coasts, provide key food resources, sustain tourism, they also store carbon and therefore help to regulate the greenhouse effect and global warming, etc.).
Geographic distribution : corals of the genus Euphyllia can be found in the Red Sea and in the Indo-Pacific as far as the Samoan Islands.
Habitat: they live in coral reefs at depths of between 2 and 35 m.
Description: corals of the genus Euphyllia are hard corals which live in colonies. Their polyps are very large and their skeletons (corallites) are made up of long individual tubes (phaceloids). In colony formations these form valleys but which never share a common wall (such a formation is known as ‘flabello meandroid’). They belong to the group of madreporic reef building corals. Differences between species are not always clear because their skeletons are identical and their polyps display common or intermediate characteristics.
Diet: these corals feed on plankton.
Threats and protective measures: corals of the genus Euphyllia are protected by the Washington Convention.
Moreover, since 2008, Euphyllia cristata has been listed on the IUCN’s international Red List of threatened species.
Species characteristics and ability to occupy an ecosystem niche in the context of biodiversity: like all hard corals, Euphyllia are reef builders.Corals in this genus can reproduce asexually.Moreover, Euphyllia’s stinging tentacles can cause severe skin irritation.
Resilience: corals of the genus Euphyllia are ancient corals. They appear in the fossil record in the Eocene in Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. They date back to the time when mammals were taking their first steps on land.
Services provided to humanity in the fields of medical research, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products: corals of the genus Euphyllia are reef builders. With other species, they contribute to the creation of the one of the most important, diverse and complex ecosystems on the planet.Apart from their ecological value, coral reefs are economically significant and have important social and cultural functions for nearby countries (they provide natural protection for coasts, provide key food resources, sustain tourism, they also store carbon and therefore help to regulate the greenhouse effect and global warming, etc.).
SOURCES
Books:
J.E.N. VERON. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Ed. University of Hawaii Press/The Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1986
S. WEINBERG. Découvrir l’océan Pacifique tropical. Ed. Nathan, coll. Guides Nature – Découvrir, 2004
B. SALVAT. Photog. C. RIVES. Le Corail et les récifs coralliens. Ed. Ouest-France, 2003
B. ROBIN, C. PETRON, C. RIVES. Coraux du Monde. Ed. Delachaux&Niestlé, 1988
J.SPRUNG. Trad. Et adapt. J.M. BOUR. Coraux. Guide pratique d’identification et de maintenance. Ed. Ricordea Publishing, 2000
A. et A. FERRARI. Récifs coralliens. La faune sous-marine des coraux. Ed. Delachaux&Niestlé, 2000
Collectif. Océan. Encyclopédie universelle. Ed. Geo/Gallimard, 2006
Le Petit Larousse compact 2002. Ed. Larousse,/Vuef, 2001
Articles:
A. SEVER. Expériences avec les coraux durs du genre Euphyllia. Corail, n°2, mai-juin 2007
P. PETIT de VOIZE. Les Récifs coralliens. Subaqua, hors-série n°1, pp 57, 62-63
Internet sites:
ITIS :
Sealife base :
Aquaportail :
Aquaryus :
Photos Pauline BINCTEUX
Connect to give your advice
