Rice Coral – Montipora verrucosa

, Rice Coral, Montipora verrucosa
Depth: 1 - 30 m

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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 Rice Coral, scientifically known as Montipora verrucosa, is a captivating species of stony coral belonging to the Acroporidae family. This coral is recognized for its distinctive appearance and crucial role in the coral reef ecosystem.

Description & Characteristics

Montipora verrucosa is characterized by its encrusting growth form, often forming colonies that spread across the seabed. Its surface is covered in numerous, small, rounded bumps or verrucae, giving it the name “Rice Coral.” The color of Montipora verrucosa can vary greatly, ranging from pale green and brown to vibrant shades of orange and purple. The colonies typically reach a maximum size of around 30 centimeters in diameter.

Habitat and Occurrence

Montipora verrucosa thrives in a variety of marine environments, specifically in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. These zones encompass the depths from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 meters. This coral is often found in areas with strong currents and moderate wave action, where it can easily capture food and oxygen. Due to its preference for these conditions, Montipora verrucosa is commonly observed in the neritic zone of the ocean, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

Montipora verrucosa belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Scleractinia, and Family: Acroporidae. This classification reflects the coral’s complex biological structure and evolutionary history, placing it within a group of organisms that share similar characteristics.

Feeding

Montipora verrucosa exhibits a mixed feeding strategy. It derives a significant portion of its sustenance from symbiotic algae, known as zooxanthellae, residing within its tissues. These algae perform photosynthesis, providing the coral with vital nutrients. Additionally, Montipora verrucosa captures microscopic plankton from the surrounding water using its tentacles. This mixed feeding strategy allows the coral to thrive in its environment, utilizing both photosynthetic and heterotrophic methods to meet its energy needs.

Associated Species

Image References

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