Lobactis
| Lobactis scutaria | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Fungiidae |
| Genus: | Lobactis Verrill, 1864 |
| Species: | L. scutaria
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| Binomial name | |
| Lobactis scutaria | |
| Synonyms | |
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List (Genus)
(Species)
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Lobactisis agenusof plate or mushroom coral in the familyFungiidae.The genus is monotypic with a single species,Lobactis scutaria,that is found in theIndo-Pacificregion.
Description
[edit]Lobactis scutariais a solitary,non-colonialcoralthat is free living and not attached to theseabed.It is discoid or elongated in shape and can grow to a very large size. Thepolypcan be up to 17 centimetres (6.7 in) long[2]and is embedded in a cup shaped hollow known as acorallite,surrounded by calcareous material. Lining this are narrow ribs known assepta,each having a tall tentacular lobe near its origin in the centre. The septa bear unlobed teeth and further tentacular lobes at intervals where the septa divide. Outside the corallite the ribs continue, now known ascostae,bearing rows of tiny spines. The underside of the coral bears a scar resulting from its detachment from the sea bed as a juvenile. The colour varies, often being brown, yellowish or blue with contrasting tentacular lobes. The polyp has a central, slit-like mouth and a small number of short, taperingtentacles.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Lobactis scutariaoccurs in the Indian Ocean on upper reef slopes especially where there is considerable movement of the water as a result of wave action. It is usually found on sand or beds of coral fragments. It is often associated with other species ofFungia.[2]
Biology
[edit]
Lobactis scutariais acarnivoreand catchesplankton,shrimpsandfishwith its tentacles.[4]
Lobactis scutariais ahermaphrodite.Eggs and sperm are ejected through the mouth and after fertilisation, develop intoplanulalarvae which form part of the plankton. After some time these settle on the seabed and undergometamorphosis.The juveniles attach themselves to thesubstrateand start feeding, extruding their hard skeletons and growing. At a later stage they become detached from their base and drift around on the sea bed. The polyps feed by day as well as by night.[4]
References
[edit]- ^WoRMS (2018)."Lobactis scutaria(Lamarck, 1801) ".WoRMS.World Register of Marine Species.Retrieved2018-07-26.
- ^abFungia scutariaCorals of the World online. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ^Fungia(mushroom coral)Reef coral genera of the Western Indian Ocean. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ^abcPlate Coral-Fungia scutariaLHS Virtual Zoo. Retrieved 2011-12-14.