Stony Coral – Psammocora profundacella

, Stony Coral, Psammocora profundacella
Depth: 1 - 30 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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

Psammocora profundacella, commonly known as Stony Coral, is a fascinating species of coral found in various marine environments. This coral exhibits unique characteristics and plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.

Description & Characteristics

Psammocora profundacella is a solitary coral that can reach a maximum size of approximately 10 centimeters in diameter. Its distinctive features include a robust, rounded shape with a complex, branching structure. The coral’s surface is covered in numerous small polyps, each with a central mouth surrounded by tentacles. These polyps are responsible for feeding and reproduction. The color of Psammocora profundacella can vary, ranging from pale brown to deep reddish hues.

Habitat and Occurrence

Psammocora profundacella thrives in the intertidal zone, which is the region between the high and low tide lines. This marine zone experiences regular cycles of submergence and exposure, creating a challenging but dynamic habitat. Psammocora profundacella is particularly well-suited to this environment, displaying remarkable resilience and adaptability to fluctuating water conditions. Its presence in the intertidal zone is a testament to its ability to withstand the forces of nature.

Taxonomy

Psammocora profundacella belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, an extensive group of corals characterized by their six-fold symmetry. Within this class, it is further classified under the Order: Scleractinia, which encompasses stony corals known for their hard, calcium carbonate skeletons. Finally, Psammocora profundacella is a member of the Family: Psammocoridae, a family of corals distinguished by their distinctive morphology and ecological roles.

Feeding

Psammocora profundacella, like many other corals, has a dual feeding strategy. It relies on a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae. These algae reside within the coral’s tissues and photosynthesize, providing the coral with essential nutrients. However, Psammocora profundacella also actively feeds on plankton, tiny organisms that drift in the water column. By capturing plankton with its tentacles, it supplements its diet and ensures its nutritional needs are met.

Associated Species

Image References

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