New Zealand Stony Coral [Desmophyllum striatum]
Description
Desmophyllum striatum, also known as the New Zealand stony coral, is found in the cold, deep waters surrounding New Zealand. This solitary species has a large, cup-shaped skeleton that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. Its polyps are often pinkish in color and can fully retract into the skeleton when disturbed. It is distinguished by its straight, parallel growth lines on its skeleton, which give it a striped appearance.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Stony Corals
Scleractinia
|
| Family |
Caryophylliidae
Caryophylliidae
|
| Genus |
Desmophyllum
Desmophyllum
|