Gardineroseris

Gardineroseris is a genus of stony corals in the family Fungiidae. The genus name honors the British zoologist John Stanley Gardiner (1872-1946). These corals, also known as mushroom corals, are characterized by their solitary, free-living growth form, resembling a mushroom with a broad, flat cap and a short stalk. Their skeleton is typically massive and porous, often with a distinctive, convoluted surface. Gardineroseris species are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting shallow, reef environments.

Stony Coral – Gardineroseris planulata

Characteristics

Gardineroseris corals are characterized by the following:

  • Solitary, free-living growth form resembling a mushroom
  • Broad, flat cap with a short stalk
  • Massive and porous skeleton
  • Convoluted surface with ridges, grooves, and projections
  • Typically brown, tan, or gray in color, but can also exhibit shades of green, pink, or orange
  • Possess zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae that provide nutrients through photosynthesis

Environment

Gardineroseris species are found in shallow, reef environments of the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting depths of 1 to 30 meters. They prefer clear, warm waters with high levels of sunlight and moderate wave action. These corals often settle on rocky substrates, dead coral rubble, or sand.

Species

The genus Gardineroseris comprises a small number of species, including:

  • Gardineroseris planulata (Lamarck, 1816)
  • Gardineroseris tenuis (Verrill, 1907)
  • Gardineroseris japonica (Yabe & Sugiyama, 1935)

References

For further information on Gardineroseris, refer to the following sources: