Heteropsammia
Heteropsammia is a genus of stony corals in the family Dendrophylliidae. The genus contains only four species of solitary corals that are distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to the western Pacific Ocean. These corals are notable for their unique morphology and their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, single-celled algae that provide them with energy through photosynthesis.
Common Names
Common names for species within the genus Heteropsammia include "pillar coral" and "cup coral."
Characteristics
Heteropsammia corals are characterized by their solitary, cup-shaped corallites (individual coral polyps) with a distinct, prominent columella (central pillar) in the center. The corallites are typically attached to the substrate, often on rocks or dead coral skeletons, and may have a small, pedicellate base. The coral polyps have a ring of tentacles surrounding their mouth and can be quite large, extending beyond the rim of the corallites.
Environments
Heteropsammia corals are found in a variety of shallow reef environments, including:
- Reef slopes
- Lagoons
- Seagrass beds
They are typically found in areas with moderate to high light levels, as they rely on their zooxanthellae for nutrition.
References
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