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Stylophora pistillata
Stylophora pistillata (Esper, 1792)
Smooth cauliflower coral
photo by Rusconi, Gianemilio

Family:  Pocilloporidae ()
Max. size:  50 cm COLD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:  A ramose coral, up to 50 cm in diameter, with smooth rounded branches growing from a common origin. A small half-hood can be seen on one side of each corallite. Species shows a high degree of variation in branch thickness depending upon depth and degree of exposure, with more delicate forms found in deeper, more protected biomes (Ref. 269).
Biology:  Depth based from occurrence (Ref. 8294); to be replaced with a better reference. Found in shallow reef habitats exposed to strong wave action (Ref. 98471). Common from the reef flat to intermediate depths (Ref. 269). Also in shallow fringing reefs and on rocks in khor channels (Ref. 102838). Shows a high degree of variation in branch thickness depending upon depth and degree of exposure, with more delicate forms found in deeper, more protected biomes (Ref. 269).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 03 January 2008 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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