Plerogyra
Plerogyra is a genus of large, colonial, reef-building stony corals belonging to the family Euphylliidae. They are commonly known as “bubble-tip” or “anchor” corals due to their distinctive inflated polyps. These corals are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Characteristics
Plerogyra corals are characterized by their massive, rounded colonies, often resembling boulders. Their polyps are large and fleshy, with a distinctive swollen, "bubble-like" appearance. The polyp walls are thin and delicate, giving them a translucent quality. They come in a variety of colors, including brown, green, and orange, with their polyps often having a contrasting lighter color.
Environments
Plerogyra corals prefer clear, shallow waters with strong currents. They are typically found in areas with good light exposure and are often located in coral reefs, lagoons, and seaward slopes. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and salinity, but prefer a stable environment.
Species
There are currently five recognized species within the genus Plerogyra:
- Plerogyra sinuosa (Lamarck, 1816) - Sinuous bubble-tip coral
- Plerogyra cylindrica (Dana, 1846) - Cylindrical bubble-tip coral
- Plerogyra simplex (Gardiner, 1905) - Simple bubble-tip coral
- Plerogyra tuberculata (Boschma, 1948) - Tuberculate bubble-tip coral
- Plerogyra luciae (Veron, 2000) - Lucia's bubble-tip coral
References
World Register of Marine Species
Australian Institute of Marine Science