Stylocoeniella
Stylocoeniella is a genus of colonial stony corals belonging to the family Pocilloporidae. These corals are characterized by their branching, often delicate, skeletal structures, and are commonly found in tropical and subtropical marine environments.
Common Names
Stylocoeniella corals are often referred to as "branching corals" or "finger corals" due to their distinct growth patterns.
Characteristics
Members of the genus Stylocoeniella exhibit several distinguishing features:
- Branching Morphology: Their skeletons display a branching, arborescent growth habit, with individual branches often appearing thin and fragile.
- Corallites: The corallites, or individual coral polyps, are typically small and closely spaced, giving the coral a granular appearance.
- Coloration: Stylocoeniella species can exhibit a wide range of colors, including shades of brown, green, yellow, and orange.
- Zooxanthellae: Like many other stony corals, Stylocoeniella species harbor symbiotic dinoflagellates known as zooxanthellae within their tissues. These algae provide the corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis.
Environments
Stylocoeniella corals are primarily found in shallow, tropical and subtropical marine environments. They thrive in areas with clear water, strong sunlight, and moderate water currents. These corals typically occur on coral reefs, rocky shores, and other hard substrates.
References
For more detailed information on Stylocoeniella, refer to the following resources: