Leaf Coral, Cactus Coral – Pavona decussata

, Leaf Coral, Cactus Coral - Pavona decussata, Pavona decussata
Depth: 3 - 15 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, Yellow Sea

The Leaf Coral, Cactus Coral, scientifically known as Pavona decussata, is a captivating species of stony coral that adds a unique texture and beauty to its coral reef habitat. Its branching, leaf-like structure creates a distinct visual appeal, making it a fascinating subject of study for marine biologists and divers alike. This species exhibits a range of colors, from brown and green to yellow and orange, depending on its location and the algae that live within its tissues.

Description & Characteristics

The Pavona decussata is characterized by its intricate, branching structure resembling a leafy or cactus-like form. Its colonies can grow quite large, reaching up to 1 meter in diameter. The individual corallites, or polyp openings, are small and densely packed, giving the coral a distinctive, textured surface. The colony’s color can vary depending on the presence of zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that reside within the coral’s tissues.

Habitat and Occurrence

Pavona decussata is commonly found in shallow reef environments, typically residing in the Indo-Pacific region. This species prefers habitats in the tropical marine zones, specifically in areas where there is ample sunlight and clear water. The Leaf Coral, Cactus Coral is often found in protected areas where the water flow is moderate. It can be observed at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters, demonstrating its adaptability to different light levels and water conditions.

Taxonomy

The species Pavona decussata belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Scleractinia, and Family: Agariciidae. This classification highlights its relationship to other stony corals, placing it within the broader group of hexacorals, characterized by having six or multiples of six tentacles, and within the order of scleractinians, commonly known as stony corals.

Feeding

Pavona decussata, like most stony corals, relies on a combination of feeding methods. It derives a significant portion of its nutrition from the symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which photosynthesize and provide energy to the coral. Additionally, it captures small organisms like phytoplankton and zooplankton from the water column, extending its tentacles to trap these food sources. The combination of these feeding strategies allows the Leaf Coral, Cactus Coral to thrive in its reef environment.

Associated Species

Image References

Leave a Comment