Pocillopora damicornis, commonly known as the cauliflower coral or lace coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It is native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
P. damicornis is a colonial coral and can grow into clumps up to 30 cm (12 in) high. It is distinguishable from other members of the genus by the verrucae (wart-like growths) on its surface being more irregularly arranged. It is more branched than the otherwise similar P. verrucosa. Its form varies according to its habitat and is more open and branched in calm positions and more compact on the upper parts of reefs where water movement is greater. Its colour varies and may be greenish, pink, yellowish-brown or pale brown.[2]
Cauliflower coral is native to the tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its wide range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii, Easter Island, and the western coast of Central America.[1] It is found at depths to about 40 m (131 ft), but is most common between 5 and 20 m (16 and 66 ft), often forming dense patches. It is equally found on reef slopes and in lagoons, among mangroves and on wharves, but not in areas with strong water movement. With such a wide range, it is one of the most abundant of corals.[2]
P. damicornis is a reef-building coral, grows fast, and is a strong competitor. The polyps extend their tentacles at night to feed on plankton.[1] When colonies are broken apart, chunks can become lodged on the seabed and grow into new individuals, a form of asexual reproduction by fragmentation.[1] This coral also reproduces by sexual means. It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, and eggs and sperm are retained inside the coral and batches of planular larvae are released into the sea around the time of the new moon.[3] These have a lipid-rich yolk and great dispersal abilities, as they remain viable for as much as 100 days.[3] Although brooding of larvae occurs over most of its range, in Western Australia P. damicornis both broods planular larvae and releases gametes by broadcast spawning, while in the Eastern Pacific, only broadcast spawning takes place.[4]
Cauliflower coral contains microscopic symbiotic dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae) living within its tissues. Through photosynthesis, these algae produce energy-rich molecules the coral can assimilate. The density of the dinoflagellates varies depending on seasonal changes in water temperature, light levels, and dissolved nitrate concentration. It is a dynamic process and in extreme environmental conditions results in the complete expulsion of the algae and the bleaching of the coral.[5] However, compared to other corals, this species is resistant to bleaching.[1]
Based on the GeoSymbio Database, Pocillopora damicornis has been known to interact with 30 species (or subclade types) of Symbiodinium, the highest interaction rate of any known coral species along with Stylophora pistillata [6]
In general, coral reefs around the world are being destroyed and although this coral is common and relatively resilient, populations likely are in decline along with their habitat. This coral is collected for the aquarium trade and in some regions, it is mined for conversion into cement. The IUCN has listed it as being of "Least Concern", as it considers the rate of decline in its populations is not sufficient to justify listing it in a more threatened category. Like all corals, it is listed on CITES Appendix II.[1]
Pocillopora damicornis, commonly known as the cauliflower coral or lace coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It is native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Pocillopora damicornis est une espèce de coraux (cnidaires hexacoralliens), de la famille des Pocilloporidae.
C'est un Pocillopora qui forme des colonies assez petites (rarement plus de 30 cm, qui comme souvent dans ce genre sont reconnaissables à leurs bras courts et élargis en spatules (pas très régulières chez cette espèce) et comme couvertes de verrues de taille constante (environ 3 mm), qui sont en fait les corallites, formant de courtes branches. Les branches principales de cette espèce sont courtes, très irrégulières, et parfois grossièrement polygonales ; elles sont plus robustes dans les eaux agitées. La couleur est généralement rose, mais peut aller du marron clair au verdâtre, ou être presque blanche[2].
Spécimen à La Réunion.
Gros-plan.
P. damicornis est une espèce pionnière qui colonise souvent des supports artificiels.
Spécimen portant une galle autour d’une femelle crabe Cryptochiridae.
Cette espèce se rencontre dans tout l'Indo-Pacifique tropical, de la Mer Rouge à Panama[2].
Elle est très commune à faible profondeur, mais peut être rencontrée jusqu'à 20 voire 40 m de profondeur[2]. On la trouve aussi bien dans les lagons que sur les tombants externes des récifs[3]. C'est une espèce pionnière, qui colonise facilement et rapidement les structures humaines telles que les piliers en béton, les barres de métal ou les épaves.
C'est une espèce très abondante[3] et à croissance relativement rapide : elle est donc d'une importance majeure pour les récifs coralliens, et fait l'objet d'un suivi scientifique attentif. Espèce pionnière, elle est souvent la première à coloniser les structures dures (humaines ou naturelles), et laissera à la fin de sa courte vie (pour un corail) un substrat très propice à l'installation d'espèces plus exigeantes. En outre, comme tous les Pocillopora cette espèce abrite une large gamme de symbiotes, et constitue donc une espèce-clef pour la biodiversité[2].
Cette espèces est sensible à l'acidification des océans et à un réchauffement rapide des océans, mais aussi à certains pesticides (dont la Chlordécone d'après une étude récente[4]).
Selon World Register of Marine Species (27 décembre 2014)[3] :
Pocillopora damicornis est une espèce de coraux (cnidaires hexacoralliens), de la famille des Pocilloporidae.
Pocillopora damicornis is een rifkoralensoort uit de familie van de Pocilloporidae.[1] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1758 door Linnaeus.
Bronnen, noten en/of referenties
San hô cành da mi[3] (danh pháp hai phần: Pocillopora damicornis) là một loài san hô trong họ Pocilloporidae. Loài này được Linnaeus mô tả khoa học năm 1758.
San hô cành da mi (danh pháp hai phần: Pocillopora damicornis) là một loài san hô trong họ Pocilloporidae. Loài này được Linnaeus mô tả khoa học năm 1758.
