Lobed Star Coral [Orbicella annularis]
Description
The lobed star coral is a species of coral that occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is a colonial stony coral and is one of the most abundant and widespread corals in the Caribbean. The colonies form large, hemispherical domes up to 5 meters (16 ft) in diameter that are divided into lobes. Each polyp has its own cup, from which septa radiate.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Stony Corals
Scleractinia
|
| Family |
Dendrophylliidae
Dendrophylliidae
|
| Genus |
Boulder Star Coral
Balanophyllia
|