Elephant Skin Coral [Pachyseris speciosa]
Description
The Elephant Skin Coral, also known as Pachyseris speciosa, is a species of hard corals in the family Agariciidae. It is a widespread species that can be found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area, particularly around Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands. The coral forms large, flat plates and scrolls, and its surface is covered with a pattern of meandering ridges and valleys that resemble the skin of an elephant. It prefers shallow waters at depths of 1 to 25 m where it can grow under various light conditions. It is a zooxanthellate species, which means it has a symbiotic relationship with the photosynthesizing algae living in its tissues.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Stony Corals
Scleractinia
|
| Family |
Fungiidae
Fungiidae
|
| Genus |
Elephant Skin Coral
Sandalolitha
|