Platygyra

Common Names

Members of the genus Platygyra are commonly referred to as "plate corals" due to their flat, plate-like growth forms. Other names include "brain corals" and "foliose corals" depending on the specific species and its morphology.

Characteristics

Platygyra corals exhibit a number of distinctive characteristics that differentiate them from other coral genera. These include:

• Colonial Growth: Like all stony corals, Platygyra species form colonies of individual polyps, which are tiny, anemone-like animals. These polyps are connected by a common skeleton made of calcium carbonate.
• Flattened Colonies: Platygyra colonies are generally flattened and spread horizontally, forming plates or sheets. This morphology is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from other coral genera.
• Convoluted Surface: The surface of Platygyra colonies is often convoluted, with numerous folds, ridges, and valleys. This provides a large surface area for the polyps to feed and to house symbiotic algae.
• Coloration: Platygyra corals are known for their vibrant and diverse coloration. They can be brown, green, orange, pink, or even white, with intricate patterns and textures. This coloration is often due to the presence of symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within the coral tissue.
• Reproduction: Platygyra corals reproduce both sexually and asexually. They release sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilization, or they can bud new polyps from existing colonies, leading to colony expansion.

Environments

Platygyra corals are typically found in shallow, tropical waters with high light levels and clear, clean water. They prefer hard substrates like rocky reefs and coral rubble, where they can attach and grow. Their distribution spans the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef.

References

World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
Reefs.com