species: Herpolitha limax in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Radiata > Cnidaria > Anthozoa > Anthozoa > Hexacorallia > Scleractinia > Fungiidae > Herpolitha > Herpolitha limax (gallery)
Herpolitha limax


©Anne: Part of Herpolitha limax colony at Coconut Beach, Lizard Island, 22 m depth.

©Anne: Herpolitha limax about 30 cm long off Coconut Beach Lizard Island, 22 m depth

©Andy: A specimen of Herpolitha limax at Pelorus Island, Palm Island Group

show or add records

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Order Scleractinia
Family Fungiidae
Genus Herpolitha
Species Herpolitha limax
Status least concern
Show field guides

Distinguishing features

A fungid coral that forms an elongate skeleton up to 30cm long. Multiple mouths are formed along the axial furrow. Septal teeth are fine, and few septa extend from the axial furrow to the edge of the colony. The skeleton may split to form Y or X shaped colonies. Colour is typically brown.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Comments

Herpolitha limax is currently the only recognised species in this genus (WORMS accessed 17 Jan 2015).

by Anne Hoggett

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Reef fronts, lagoons.

Can be found in most habitats around Lizard Island.

Behaviour

It is a broadcast spawning hermaphrodite.

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.
  • Domm, S.B. and W. Deas (1976). Corals of the Great Barrier Reef Ure Smith, Sydney. LIRS catalog number 5.
  • Dornelas, M. (2006). Coral assemblages and neutral theory. PhD thesis, James Cook University. LIRS catalog number 1626.
  • View all references