Leptoseris explanata, commonly known as Stony Coral, is a species of coral found in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This species is characterized by its distinctive morphology and ecological significance.
Description & Characteristics
Stony Coral, Leptoseris explanata, is a colonial coral that grows in a flat, plate-like form. Its colonies can reach a maximum size of approximately 10 inches in diameter. The coral polyps are small and numerous, and their skeletons are composed of calcium carbonate. The surface of the coral is typically covered in a thin layer of tissue, which gives the coral its distinctive color. The Stony Coral, Leptoseris explanata, can range in color from light brown to dark brown, with some colonies exhibiting green or red hues.
Habitat and Occurrence
Stony Coral, Leptoseris explanata, thrives in shallow, tropical waters. It is typically found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western Atlantic Ocean. The Stony Coral, Leptoseris explanata, prefers areas with strong currents and high levels of sunlight. It is most commonly found in the neritic zone, which encompasses the coastal waters from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Stony Coral, Leptoseris explanata, belongs to the family Agariciidae, which is part of the Order Scleractinia, known as stony corals. These corals belong to the Class Hexacorallia, which comprises corals with six-fold symmetry, a characteristic of their tentacles and body structure.
Feeding
Stony Corals, Leptoseris explanata, obtain sustenance through a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae. These algae live within the coral’s tissues and produce energy through photosynthesis, sharing some of this energy with the coral. Stony Corals, Leptoseris explanata, also supplement their diet by catching and consuming small organisms like plankton, phytoplankton, and zooplankton using their tentacles.
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