Stony Coral – Pocillopora verrucosa

, Stony Coral, Pocillopora verrucosa
Depth: 0 - 54 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

Pocillopora verrucosa, commonly known as Stony Coral, is a fascinating and vital component of coral reef ecosystems. This species, belonging to the family Pocilloporidae, exhibits a unique morphology and plays a crucial role in the delicate balance of marine life.

Description & Characteristics

Pocillopora verrucosa is characterized by its intricate branching structure, resembling a miniature forest of coral polyps. Its surface is covered in numerous small, wart-like projections, giving it a distinctive and somewhat rugged appearance. These projections, known as verrucae, are responsible for the species’ common name, Stony Coral. Typically, Pocillopora verrucosa grows to a maximum size of about 1 meter in height.

Habitat and Occurrence

This coral species thrives in a variety of marine environments, ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to depths of around 200 meters. It can be found in subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and even the deep zones of the ocean. Pocillopora verrucosa is particularly common in neritic zones, which are the waters over the continental shelf. This adaptability allows the coral to flourish in diverse and dynamic marine ecosystems.

Taxonomy

Pocillopora verrucosa belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Scleractinia, and Family: Pocilloporidae. Hexacorallia comprises corals with six or multiples of six tentacles, while Scleractinia encompasses the stony corals characterized by their hard, calcium carbonate skeletons. The family Pocilloporidae is known for its branching and encrusting coral species.

Feeding

Pocillopora verrucosa engages in a unique feeding strategy, relying on a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, single-celled algae that reside within its tissues. These algae provide the coral with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, while the coral in turn provides the zooxanthellae with shelter and access to carbon dioxide. In addition to this symbiotic partnership, Pocillopora verrucosa also captures and consumes plankton from the surrounding water column.

Associated Species

Image References

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