Siderastrea
Siderastrea is a genus of colonial stony corals belonging to the family Siderastreidae. These corals are commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. They are known for their distinctive, massive, and often encrusting growth forms.
Common Names
Common names for Siderastrea corals include "starlet coral" and "knobbed brain coral." These names reflect their characteristic appearances, with the "starlet" moniker referring to the star-shaped polyps and "knobbed brain" referring to the convoluted surface that resembles the folds of a brain.
Characteristics
Siderastrea corals exhibit several key characteristics:
- Colonial: They grow as colonies of interconnected polyps, each with a small, star-shaped opening called a mouth.
- Massive: Their colonies can form massive structures that resemble boulders or plates.
- Encrusting: Some species are known to grow as thin, encrusting layers over hard substrates.
- Coloration: The color of Siderastrea corals can vary widely, ranging from brown and gray to pale pink and yellow.
- Surface: The surface of their colonies can be smooth or covered with small, knob-like projections, giving them a rough texture.
Environments
Siderastrea corals are typically found in shallow, reef-associated environments. They prefer clear, warm waters with a high degree of sunlight. They can tolerate a range of water conditions, including moderate wave action and salinity fluctuations.