Stony Coral – Porites rus is a species of coral found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is characterized by its robust, massive growth form and its ability to thrive in a variety of marine environments.
Description & Characteristics
Porites rus is a colonial coral, meaning that it is composed of many individual polyps that live together in a connected colony. These polyps have a hard, calcareous skeleton that forms the coral’s structure. The coral’s surface is typically covered in a layer of living tissue, which contains photosynthetic algae known as zooxanthellae. These algae give the coral its characteristic color, which can vary from brown to yellow to green depending on the species and the environment.
Habitat and Occurrence
Porites rus is a common coral species that can be found in a variety of habitats, from shallow reef flats to deeper reef slopes. It is particularly well-adapted to the Intertidal (Eulittoral) zone, the intertidal zone between the high and low tide lines characterized by the alternation of low and high tides. This makes it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems. It can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, including exposure to air, fluctuating salinity levels, and high levels of sedimentation.
Taxonomy
Porites rus belongs to the family Poritidae, which is part of the order Scleractinia (stony corals) within the class Hexacorallia (hexacorals). These corals are known for their hard, stony skeletons and their six-fold symmetry.
Feeding
Porites rus is a heterotrophic organism, meaning that it obtains its nutrition from other organisms. It feeds primarily on plankton, which it captures with its tentacles. The coral also relies on a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which live within its tissues and provide it with energy through photosynthesis. In this way, Porites rus gets its energy from both sunlight and the food it catches.
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