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Orbicella annularis
Lobed star coral
Common Names
IUCN:
Scleractinia
Order:
Merulinidae
Order:
Distribution
Abundant to common South Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico.
Ecology
Inhibit most reef environments and along with Mountainous and Boulder Star Corals, Orbicella faveolata and O. franksi are often predominate corals between 20-75 feet.
Description
Colonies grow in clusters of long thick columns with enlarged dome-like tops. Living polyps are restricted to the upper portions of the column, while lower portions of column are often bioeroded and fouled with algae or encrusting sponge. Surfaces of living corals are usually smooth with close, uniformly distributed and evenly extended corallites. Shades of green to brown, yellow-brown and gray.
Other photos
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