species: Acanthastrea echinata in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Radiata > Cnidaria > Anthozoa > Anthozoa > Hexacorallia > Scleractinia > Faviina > Mussidae > Acanthastrea > Acanthastrea echinata (gallery)
Acanthastrea echinata


©Andy: A specimen of Acanthastrea echinata at Lizard Island showing an encrusting growth form

©Andy: A macro image of Acanthastrea echinata showing the typical structure of corallites and septal teeth

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Order Scleractinia
Family Mussidae
Genus Acanthastrea
Species Acanthastrea echinata
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Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A coral with an encrusting to massive growth form. Corallites are round and cereoid to sub-plocoid, with thick walls and long septal teeth.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Acanthastrea echinata

Distribution and habitat preferences

Upper reef slopes.

Can be found in most habitats around Lizard Island.

Behaviour

It is a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner.

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.