Porites compressa, also known as finger coral or hump coral, is a species of marine stony coral in the familyPoritidae.[2] It is found growing on coral reefs and in shallow lagoons in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Porites compressa is generally pale brown or grey. In shallow water it resembles a knobbly boulder but in deeper water it is more columnar. The branches are cylindrical and often fuse together.[3][4] The growth rate is slow but it often grows into large colonies which may be up to 1000 years old.[5] It is a zooxanthellate coral, having symbiotic unicellular zooxanthellae in the tissues which provide it with energy.[2]
Distribution and habitatEdit
Porites compressa occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea and East African coast.[2] Around Hawaii it is common and is found on reefs and in lagoons to a depth of 30 metres (98 ft) where the water is relatively undisturbed. In Kaneohe Bay it is the dominant coral species and sometimes forms monospecific stands.[1]
ThreatsEdit
Porites compressa is affected by rising sea temperatures but it is more resistant to bleaching than many other corals. It is more susceptible to coral diseases than some other species however and it is stressed corals that are most likely to succumb to disease. Coral reefs in general are under threat from many causes. These include El Nino events, ocean acidification, trawling and other fishery activities, competition from invasive species and human activities which includes pollution and the collection of corals for the aquarium trade.[1]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcSheppard, A.; Fenner, D.; Edwards, A.; Abrar, M.; Ochavillo, D. (2008). "Porites compressa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T133349A3701925. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133349A3701925.en. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
^Porites compressa Dana 1846 WetWebMedia.com. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
^Porites compressa Dana 1846 Corals of the World. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
^Stony coral (Porites compressa) 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine ARKive. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
August 29, 2023
porites, compressa, also, known, finger, coral, hump, coral, species, marine, stony, coral, family, poritidae, found, growing, coral, reefs, shallow, lagoons, tropical, parts, indian, pacific, oceans, left, right, pocillopora, meandrina, porites, lobata, conse. Porites compressa also known as finger coral or hump coral is a species of marine stony coral in the family Poritidae 2 It is found growing on coral reefs and in shallow lagoons in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans Porites compressaLeft to right Pocillopora meandrina Porites lobata Porites compressaConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum CnidariaClass HexacoralliaOrder ScleractiniaFamily PoritidaeGenus PoritesSpecies P compressaBinomial namePorites compressaDana 1846 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Threats 4 ReferencesDescription EditPorites compressa is generally pale brown or grey In shallow water it resembles a knobbly boulder but in deeper water it is more columnar The branches are cylindrical and often fuse together 3 4 The growth rate is slow but it often grows into large colonies which may be up to 1000 years old 5 It is a zooxanthellate coral having symbiotic unicellular zooxanthellae in the tissues which provide it with energy 2 Distribution and habitat EditPorites compressa occurs in the Indo Pacific region the Red Sea and East African coast 2 Around Hawaii it is common and is found on reefs and in lagoons to a depth of 30 metres 98 ft where the water is relatively undisturbed In Kaneohe Bay it is the dominant coral species and sometimes forms monospecific stands 1 Threats EditPorites compressa is affected by rising sea temperatures but it is more resistant to bleaching than many other corals It is more susceptible to coral diseases than some other species however and it is stressed corals that are most likely to succumb to disease Coral reefs in general are under threat from many causes These include El Nino events ocean acidification trawling and other fishery activities competition from invasive species and human activities which includes pollution and the collection of corals for the aquarium trade 1 References Edit a b c Sheppard A Fenner D Edwards A Abrar M Ochavillo D 2008 Porites compressa IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008 e T133349A3701925 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2008 RLTS T133349A3701925 en Retrieved 15 March 2022 a b c WoRMS 2010 Porites compressa Dana WoRMS World Register of Marine Species Retrieved 2011 12 23 Porites compressa Dana 1846 WetWebMedia com Retrieved 2011 12 23 Porites compressa Dana 1846 Corals of the World Retrieved 2011 12 23 Stony coral Porites compressa Archived 2011 07 28 at the Wayback Machine ARKive Retrieved 2011 12 23 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Porites compressa amp oldid 1162646749, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
