Dendrophyllia Cornigera – Dendrophyllia cornigera

, Dendrophyllia Cornigera, Dendrophyllia cornigera
Depth: 80 - 815 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Dendrophyllia Cornigera, also known as the “horned coral”, is a fascinating species of solitary coral found in the depths of the ocean. This captivating organism exhibits a unique combination of physical characteristics and ecological adaptations, making it a notable member of the marine ecosystem.

Description & Characteristics

The Dendrophyllia Cornigera is characterized by its distinctive, horn-like projections that extend from its central polyp. These “horns” are actually elongated, pointed septa, giving the coral its characteristic appearance. The coral can reach a maximum size of approximately 5 cm in diameter. Its color can vary from pale brown to reddish-brown, with some individuals exhibiting a more vibrant orange hue. The Dendrophyllia Cornigera possesses a robust skeleton made of calcium carbonate, providing structural support and protection.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Dendrophyllia Cornigera is typically found in depths ranging from 20 to 100 meters, making it a resident of the mesophotic zone, a dimly lit region of the ocean. This species prefers habitats with strong currents, often attaching itself to rocky outcrops, or even shipwrecks. The Dendrophyllia Cornigera is a common inhabitant of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea, where it thrives in the diverse and rich ecosystems of these marine zones.

Taxonomy

The Dendrophyllia Cornigera belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, which encompasses a wide variety of corals with six-fold radial symmetry. This class is further subdivided into the Order: Scleractinia, containing the true, hard corals. The Dendrophyllia Cornigera is classified within the Family: Dendrophylliidae, a group of solitary corals that often exhibit complex and intricate branching patterns.

Feeding

The Dendrophyllia Cornigera is a food specialist, primarily relying on a diet of phytoplankton, plankton, and zooplankton. It captures its prey using its tentacles, which are armed with stinging nematocysts. The nematocysts deliver a paralyzing toxin, immobilizing the prey before it is brought to the coral’s mouth. The Dendrophyllia Cornigera plays a crucial role in the marine food web, contributing to the overall health and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits.

Associated Species

Image References

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