Heliofungia actiniformis
©Andy: A specimen of Heliofungia actiniformis at Lizard Island. A cleaner shrimp Periclimenes sp(p). can be seen on the tentacles
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Anthozoa
Order
Scleractinia
Family
Fungiidae
Genus
Heliofungia
Species
Heliofungia actiniformis
Status
vulnerable
Colours
Distinguishing features
A fungid coral with large tentacles that are always extended. Septal teeth are well developed and triangular. Colour is typically light brown with pale tentacle tips. Heliofungia is a monospecific genus.
Size
- Up to 20 cm (diameter of specimens at Lizard Island)
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Sheltered back reef areas and lagoons.
Can be found in most habitats around Lizard Island.
Behaviour
It is a broadcast spawning hermaphrodite, however it can also brood larvae. In Sulawesi, the species reached 20cm diameter and an age of more than 20 years.
Web resources
References
- Baird, A.H., J.R. Guest and B.L. Willis (2009). Systematic and biogeographical patterns in the reproductive biology of scleractinian corals, Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 40: 551-571.
- Knittweis, L., J. Jompa, C. Richter and M. Wolff (2009). Population dynamics of the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis in the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Coral Reefs, 28: 793-804.
- Knittweis, L., W.E. Kraemer, J. Timm and M. Kochzius (2009). Genetic structure of Heliofungia actiniformis (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) populations in the Indo-Malay Archipelago: implications for live coral trade management efforts. Conservation Genetics, 10: 241-249.