Mushroom Coral – Podabacia sinai

, Mushroom Coral, Podabacia sinai

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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 Mushroom Coral – Podabacia sinai is a captivating coral species known for its unique, mushroom-like shape and vibrant colors. This captivating species is a prominent member of the reef ecosystem, contributing to the biodiversity and beauty of these underwater landscapes.

Description & Characteristics

The Podabacia sinai coral exhibits a distinct mushroom-shaped structure, often characterized by a broad, flattened upper surface and a stalk-like base. Its fleshy, undulating polyps are arranged in a radial pattern, forming a distinctive texture. This coral species can reach a maximum size of approximately 15 cm in diameter, showcasing a remarkable range of colors, from vibrant greens and oranges to deep browns and purples.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Podabacia sinai thrives in shallow, tropical waters, typically residing in the intertidal and subtidal zones of coral reefs. This coral is found in a variety of reef habitats, including lagoons, seaward reefs, and patch reefs. The species is particularly prevalent in the Indo-Pacific region, encompassing areas such as the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The Podabacia sinai often inhabits the reef flat and the upper reef slope, typically at depths ranging from 0 to 20 meters.

Taxonomy

The species Podabacia sinai belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Scleractinia, and Family: Fungiidae. The Podabacia sinai coral is classified within the Hexacorallia, a class of corals characterized by having six or multiples of six tentacles. This species belongs to the Order Scleractinia, an order of corals known for their hard, calcareous skeletons. The Podabacia sinai is also part of the Family Fungiidae, a family of corals distinguished by their mushroom-shaped or plate-like forms.

Feeding

The Podabacia sinai is a heterotrophic organism, relying on various food sources for survival. The primary source of nutrition is phytoplankton, which are microscopic algae. The coral also feeds on zooplankton, small animal organisms that drift in the water column. In addition, the coral’s tissues contain symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae. These tiny algae reside within the coral’s tissues and provide a significant portion of its nutritional requirements through photosynthesis.

Associated Species

Image References

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