BTR Corals Flashcards by Tami Harris

Original plan to put 2,700 individual pieces of coral in the exhibit. Ended up with much more
The exhibit depicts the zonation of coral species due to the amount of light. The low light cave area depicts sponges and corals that grow under low light conditions.
Reef building corals are hermatypic
Non-reef building corals are ahermatypic

FYI: Hermatypic corals, or stony corals, are reef-building corals, while corals that do not deposit aragonite structures and contribute to coral reef development are referred to as ahermatypic (non-reef-building) species

Featured animals:
•Blotched fantail ray (Taeniurops)
•Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
•Bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus)
•Bluestripe seaperch (Lutjanus kasmira)
•Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)
•Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
•Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas))
•Reticulate whipray (Himantura uarnak)
•Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
•Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus)
•Tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)
•Potato cod (Epinephelus tukula)
•Semicircle angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus)
•Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris)
•Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum)

Opening date: July 10, 2013
Location: The centerpiece of National Aquarium, Baltimore, replacing Wings in the Water
Number of corals: Approximately 2,700 replicated coral pieces
Number of animal species: Will open with 15 species and will grow to approximately 80 different species
Number of animal specimens: 1,150 - 1,200
Habitat design: Replicating a healthy reef in the Indo-Pacific region, a tropical area where the Indian Ocean connects with the western and central Pacific Ocean
Gallons of water in tank: 260,000 gallons of salt water
Support system: The renovations will double the size of the life support system serving the tank.
Square feet: 13,500 total square feet (this includes the exhibit and all back-of-house pieces associated with it); top of tank is approximately 4,000 square feet
Building partners: Whiting-Turner (contractor); Cambridge Seven Associates (architect); McLaren Engineering Group (structural engineer); Kovacs, Whitney & Associates Inc. (mechanical and electrical engineer); FLUX Studio (lighting consultant)
Cost of exhibit: $12.5 million
Additional guest benefits:

Daily interactive diver presentations
Shark feedings will happen often
Computer touchscreens available above and in underwater viewing area to provide guests with more information on reef animals
Seating in underwater viewing area
An interactive wall where guests can share thoughts on their experience
Additional access to interact with National Aquarium’s iconic bubble tubes

Where Wings in the Water animals are going:

Green sea turtle (Calypso), zebra sharks (Zeke and Zoe) — National Aquarium Animal Care Center until Blacktip Reef is completed
Bonnethead sharks, hogfish, tarpon — National Aquarium Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit
Cownose stingrays, southern stingrays, small roughtail stingray, barracuda — Georgia Aquarium
Tarpon — Ripley’s Aquarium

Daily interactive diver presentations
Shark feedings will happen often
Computer touchscreens available above and in underwater viewing area to provide guests with more information on reef animals
Seating in underwater viewing area
An interactive wall where guests can share thoughts on their experience
Additional access to interact with National Aquarium’s iconic bubble tubes

Where Wings in the Water animals are going:

Green sea turtle (Calypso), zebra sharks (Zeke and Zoe) — National Aquarium Animal Care Center until Blacktip Reef is completed
Bonnethead sharks, hogfish, tarpon — National Aquarium Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit
Cownose stingrays, southern stingrays, small roughtail stingray, barracuda — Georgia Aquarium
Tarpon — Ripley’s Aquarium

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Zonation of coral in a normal setting

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Coral Polyps

Most coral polyps grow in large colonies
Invertebrates that create a shared calcium structure (reef) share nutrients across their shared skeleton.
Symbiotic relationship with algae that lives in polyps

FYI: A polyp in zoology is one of two forms found in the phylum Cnidaria, the other being the medusa. Polyps are approximately cylindrical in shape and elongated at the axis of the vase-shaped body. In solitary polyps, the aboral end is attached to the substrate by means of a disc-like holdfast called the pedal disc, while in colonies of polyps it is connected to other polyps, either directly or indirectly. The oral end contains the mouth, and is surrounded by a circlet of tentacles.

The body of the polyp may be roughly compared in a structure to a sac, the wall of which is composed of two layers of cells. The outer layer is known technically as the ectoderm, the inner layer as the endoderm (or gastroderm). Between ectoderm and endoderm is a supporting layer of structureless gelatinous substance termed mesogloea, secreted by the cell layers of the body wall. The mesogloea may be a very thin layer, or may reach a fair thickness, and then sometimes contains skeletal elements formed by cells which have migrated into it from the ectoderm.
The sac-like body built up in this way is attached usually to some firm object by its blind end, and bears at the upper end the mouth which is surrounded by a circle of tentacles which resemble glove fingers. The tentacles are organs which serve both for the tactile sense and for the capture of food. Polyps extend their tentacles, particularly at night, containing coiled stinging nettle-like cells or nematocysts which pierce and poison and firmly hold living prey paralysing or killing them. Polyp prey includes copepods and fish larvae.[1] Longitudinal muscular fibrils formed from the cells of the ectoderm allow tentacles to contract when conveying the food to the mouth. Similarly, circularly disposed muscular fibrils formed from the endoderm permit tentacles to be protract or thrust out once they are contracted. These muscle fibres belong to the same two systems, thus allows the whole body to retract or protrude outwards.
We can distinguish therefore in the body of a polyp the column, circular or oval in section, forming the trunk, resting on a base or foot and surmounted by the crown of tentacles, which enclose an area termed the peristome, in the centre of which again is the mouth. As a rule there is no other opening to the body except the mouth, but in some cases excretory pores are known to occur in the foot, and pores may occur at the tips of the tentacles. Thus it is seen that a polyp is an animal of very simple structure, a living fossil that has not changed significantly for about half a billion years (per generally accepted dating of Cambrian sedimentary rock).
The external form of the polyp varies greatly in different cases. The column may be long and slender, or may be so short in the vertical direction that the body becomes disk-like. The tentacles may number many hundreds or may be very few, in rare cases only one or two. They may be long and filamentous, or short and reduced to mere knobs or warts. They may be simple and unbranched, or they may be feathery in pattern. The mouth may be level with the surface of the peristome, or may be projecting and trumpet-shaped. As regards internal structure, polyps exhibit two well-marked types of organization, each characteristic of one of the two classes, Hydrozoa and Anthozoa.
In the class Hydrozoa, the polyps are indeed often very simple, like the common little freshwater species of the genus Hydra. Anthozoan polyps, including the corals and sea anemones, are much more complex due to the development of a tubular stomodaeum leading inward from the mouth and a series of radial partitions called mesenteries. Many of the mesenteries project into the enteric cavity but some extend from the body wall to the central stomodaeum.
Reproduction [edit]
It is an almost universal attribute of polyps to reproduce asexually by the method of budding. This mode of reproduction may be combined with sexual reproduction, or may be the sole method by which the polyp produces offspring, in which case the polyp is entirely without sexual organs. In many cases the buds formed do not separate from the parent but remain in continuity with it, thus forming colonies or stocks, which may reach a great size and contain a vast number of individuals. Slight differences in the method of budding produce great variations in the form of the colonies. The reef-building corals are polyp-colonies, strengthened by the formation of a firm skeleton.

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_{^{<strong>Acropora Coral</strong>}}

Underwater Tables
Fast growing, outcompete other corals
Lack cilia – need current to keep sediment from?
The acroporidae encompasses more species than any other family of corals
Occupies more reef than any other coral – pacific only

FYI: Acropora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the Phylum Cnidaria.[2] Some of its species are known as table coral, elkhorn coral and staghorn coral. Over 149 species are described.[3] Acropora is one of the major reef corals responsible for building the immense calcium carbonate substructure that supports the thin living skin of a reef.

Depending on the species and location, Acropora may grow as plates or slender or broad branches. Like other corals, Acropora corals are colonies of individuals known as polyps, which are about 2 mm across and share tissue and a nerve net. The polyps can withdraw back into the coral in response to movement or disturbance by potential predators, but when undisturbed they protrude slightly. The polyps typically extend further at night to help capture plankton and dissolved organic matter from the water.
Acropora is most common in shallow reef environments with bright light and moderate to high water motion. Many small reef fishes live near their colonies and retreat into the thicket of branches if threatened.

Most Acropora species are brown or green, but a few are brightly colored, and those rare corals are prized by aquarists. Captive propagation of Acropora is widespread in the reef-keeping community. Given the right conditions, many Acropora species grow quickly, and individual colonies can exceed a meter across in the wild. In a well-maintained reef aquarium, finger-sized fragments can grow into medicine ball-sized colonies in one to two years. Captive specimens are steadily undergoing changes due to selection which enable them to thrive in the home aquarium. In some cases, fragments of captive specimens are used to repopulate barren reefs in the wild.[4]
Acropora species are challenging to keep in a home aquarium. They require bright light, stable temperatures, regular addition of calcium and magnesium supplements and clean, turbulent water. Providing these conditions consistently can be very demanding for the average hobbyist.

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Montipora Coral

This genera has every morphology – branching, boulders, plates, vasiform etc.
Unlike Acropora corals, Montiporas are more stress resistant, and not especially susceptible to coarl bleaching when stressed.
Small reef fishes, such as the hawkfish live near Montipora colonies and perch on the ridges of the coral.

FYI: Montipora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the phylum Cnidaria. Depending on the species and location, Montipora may grow as plates or ridges, appearing to some as a bowl or flower. Undisturbed, the plates expand radially and may encrust over surrounding rocks, shells or debris. These corals are extremely common on reefs in the Red Sea, the western Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific Ocean. There are seventy five known species.[3]
Members in this genus are usually thin corals that form leafy, plate-like, encrusting or semi-massive colonies. The colours vary greatly. The calices are less than 2 mm in diameter and are usually well separated by the coenosteum. The skeleton is lacy, the walls are indistinct and the septa, when present are small and in 2 cycles. The columella is rarely developed and the corallites are inconspicuous and appear empty as the polyps are very small.[3]
Biology [edit]
Like other corals, Montipora corals are colonies of individuals, known as polyps, which are about 2 mm across and share tissue and a nerve net. The polyps can withdraw into the coral in response to movement or disturbance by possible predators, but slightly protrude when undisturbed. The polyps usually extend further at night to capture zooplankton from the water. These corals have zooxanthella, a symbiotic algae that lives inside the cells of the polyps and produce energy for the animals through photosynthesis.
Habitat [edit]
Montipora genus corals are most common in shallow reef environments with bright sunlight and moderate wave motion. Small reef fishes, such as the hawkfish live near Montipora colonies and perch on the ridges of the coral. Environmental destruction has led to a dwindling of populations of Montipora, along with other coral species. Unlike Acropora corals, Montiporas are more stress resistant, and not especially susceptible to coral bleaching when stressed.

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Heliopora Coral

Also Known as Blue coral
Skeleton is blue
Colonial hydrozoa – not true coral

FYI: The genus Heliopora is a member of the coelenterate class Anthozoa, as are the scleractinians described in the Coral Finder and Coral Hub. But unlike the scleractinians which are members of the subclass Hexacorallia, Heliopora is a member of the subclass Octocorallia (also known as the Alcyonarians). This group of corals have polyps encircled by 8 tentacles that are bordered by rows of delicate pinnules. For more information, check out the Octocorallia page on Coral Hub. There is only one species within the Heliopora, but the fossil record indicates that this species and its close relatives have been around for over 100 million years!
Heliopora colonies may form thick branches, columns or convoluted plates, and often develop into large stands reaching several meters in diameter. Unlike other members of the Octocorallia, which do not form a thick, solid skeleton, Heliopora forms an aragonite skeleton similar to the scleractinians. Zooxanthellae are also found within the tissues.
In contrast to the large colonies, the white polyps are tiny (1mm) and immersed. The polyps bear a ring of eight delicate tentacles. The colony surface is smooth, brown in colour, and covered in a fine layer of delicate hairs. Underneath this layer of brown tissue, the skeleton is blue in colour, hence the common name ‘Blue Coral’. Searching the colony for broken or chipped branches allow the hidden blue colouration to be identified.
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Heliopora in one key group with other non-scleractinians. Millepora may be a possible source of confusion, but the two genera can be differentiated by the blue colour of the skeleton that is distinctive of Heliopora. Millepora does not have a blue skeleton, and the colony surface is hairier than that of Heliopora.

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Millepora Coral

Aka fire coral
Technically they are not corals, class hydrozoa.
Encrusting
Left ledge of deep dive

FYI: Fire corals are colonial marine organisms that look rather like real coral. Technically they are not corals, since they are more closely related to jellyfish and other stinging anemones. They are members of the phylum Cnidaria, class Hydrozoa, order Capitata, family Milleporidae.

The genus Millepora is a member of the coelenterate class Hydrozoa, unlike most of the other coral genera described in the Coral Finder and Coral Hub, which are Anthozoa. Two key features of the Hydrozoans are (1) Generations alternate between a sexually reproductive medusoid form and an asexually reproductive polyp form, (2) Polyps are specialised, partitioning work, so that one polyp may deal with prey capture, whereas another polyp may focus on consuming the prey. For more information, check out the Hydrozoa page on Coral Hub.

Millepora colonies come in a range of shapes and sizes, from branching through to encrusting, often overgrowing other organisms and taking on their shape.

Despite the wide array of growth forms, the colony surface is distinctive; the polyps lie immersed in the colony and are marked by tiny surface pores. Millepora is mustard yellow in colour and covered with a layer of delicate white hairs. These hairs contain nematocysts, which deliver the fire-like sting distinctive of this coral.

Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Millepora in one key group with other non-scleractinians. Heliopora may be a possible source of confusion, but the two genera can be differentiated by the blue colour of the skeleton that is distinctive of Heliopora. Millepora does not have a blue skeleton, and the colony surface is hairier than that of Heliopora.

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Pavona Coral

P. Clavus
Grey columns

FYI: Pavona (Agariciidae)
A Pavona with flowing septocostae, use the image browser below to identify a genus similar to what you saw underwater. Then choose one of the following links for further comparison with similar genera: Leptoseris, Psammocora, and Coscinaraea.
A quick flick through the Coral Finder shows the wide range of form and colour variations that Pavona exhibits. But superimposed on these differing forms are the characteristic septocostae that flow between neighbouring corallites producing delicate flower-like patterns with the polyp mouth at the centre. It has been suggested that the name Pavona derived from the Latin for peacock, is related to these flower-like patterns, which are similar to the tail feathers of a peacock!
ID Tips
Pavona exhibits nearly the full range of morphologies: meandering, massive, leafy, plating and columnar. Growth form varies widely in response to changing environmental conditions.
(slide show with photos of different growth forms)
The combination of no clearly defined corallite walls and clear septocostae which flow from one corallite to the next produce a flower-like pattern over the colony surface. Corallites are immersed and may be grouped in depressions between ridges or folds in the colony surface. Leafy or plating species tend to be bifacial.
The lack of corallite walls, and flowing septocostae are typical of the family Agariciidae.
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Pavona within four key groups with other members of the Agariciidae and Siderastreidae families that also exhibit flowing septocostae; Leptoseris, Psammocora, and Coscinaraea. The Septocostae Learning Groups page provides detailed descriptions and clear photos to assist in untangling any initial difficulties in identifying these genera. Links for the Learning Groups are provided in the Learning Resources section below.

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Pocillopora Coral

Also Known as Cauliflower Coral
Large P. eydouxi
P. verrucosa

FYI: Pocillopora (Pocilloporidae)
The nature of this genus is highly distinctive, which means that it is unlikely to confuse it with other members of the group.
Pocillopora has been termed the Guinea Pig of the sea. Certainly both lend themselves to easy study and husbandry within artificial laboratory environments, and each have been subject to extensive study providing us with insights into, amongst other things, genetic processes and patterns. The literature provides a detailed review of this knowledge, check out the suggested readings at the end of the page for more information on specific areas of interest.
ID Tips
Pocillopora forms branching colonies, where the branches may vary from thick and blunt, to fine. In some instances the colony may develop into thin meanders or blades. Pocillopora are commonly found in a range of environments, and colony shape can vary widely with changing environmental conditions.
The corallites are small and immersed, and are scattered across the colony surface which is covered in thick bumps called verrucae. These verrucae may look superficially like corallites, but closer inspection shows the dark, small corallites covering the bumps.
The immersed corallites and bumpy corallite surface are characteristic of the Pocilloporidae family.
(slide show with photos of corallites on verrucae)
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Pocillopora in one key group, but the distinctive verrucae ensure it is easy to differentiate from other similar genera.

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Porites Corals

Also known as finger coral
Also has many different shapes – mounds, plates, fingers
P.lichen – green with yellow edge (located on the lower left deep dive wall
P. rus – grey plates
P. digitata in both cut outs
Some have christmas tree worms

FYI: Porites (Poritidae)
Welcome to the Porites genus landing page. In this section, you will find general information about this genus and tips on how to identify it. If you are looking to confirm an observation made with the Coral Finder about a branching or plating Porites, use the image browser below to identify a genus similar to what you saw underwater. Then choose the following link for further comparison with a similar genus: Montipora.
The large, distinctive domes of massive Porites are a well recognised feature of coral reefs even to the occasional tropical snorkeler. But there is much more to this genus than these rock-like mounds, with colonies ranging from extensive branching thickets to fragile plating forms.
ID Tips
Porites colonies may form branching, massive, encrusting and plating forms, and can be found in a wide range of reef and rocky environments. Massive forms tend to grow in a distinctive hillocky pattern that resembles bumpy rock. Some species are adapted to protected lagoonal waters, whereas others exploit high wave action regions.
(slide show with photos of different forms of porites)
Corallites are very small, and generally possess well defined shared walls. The septa running into the corallites make the centres look ‘full’. There may be some patterning on the colony surface due to small skeletal bumps and ridges. The widespread nature of this genus, large environmental range and small corallites mean that differentiating species underwater can be very difficult.
(slide show with photos of full corallites and skeletal structures)
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Porites in three key groups with different growth forms of Montipora being the main candidate for confusion.
Similar genera to Porites (Coral Finder p3, 22, 23)
Branching and encrusting or plating forms of Porites can be confused with Montipora due to the similar sized, small corallites. To differentiate between the two genera you need to look into the centre of the individual corallites: in Montipora the corallite centres tend to look like a dark hole, whereas in the centre of Porites corallites look solid or skeletal elements are obvious. In addition, Porites do not possess the intricate surface structures of Montipora.
Branching and plating Porites
Similar genus: Montipora
Ecology
The sight of brightly coloured Christmas tree worms boring into the surface of massive Porites colonies is common and distinctive.

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Tubastraea Coral

In cave area
Look under –
Where’s waldo

FYI: Tubastrea, also known as sun coral or sun polyps, is a genus of coral in the phylum Cnidaria. It is a cup coral in the family Dendrophylliidae
Description
Sun corals belong to a group of corals known as large-polyp stony corals. This means that while they produce a hard skeleton, they do not build reefs. Different species have polyps in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, and shades of black.
Feeding
Unlike most corals, Sun corals are not photosynthetic. Tubastrea do not host zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that provides energy to the coral via photosynthesis. Instead, they are heterotrophic, and extend long tentacles at night to catch passing zooplankton.
Habitat. Tubastrea coccinea was first documented in 1943 on Caribbean reefs in Curaçao and Puerto Rico. T. coccinea is an invasive species that was documented to have spread as far north as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 2004.
Tubastrea is often found in deep waters, because they do not require sunlight for nourishment. They often colonize artificial surfaces, such as ship wrecks, for similar reasons.
Reproduction and growth
Like most coral, sun coral reproduces asexually. They are hermaphroditic, and produce planulae. These larvae live for up to two weeks, but usually colonize within 1 meter (3.3 ft) of the parent organism.[6] They reproduce for approximately 1.5 years, growing about 3 cm² per year.
In addition, Tubastrea form runners, that can extend 10.4 centimeters (4.1 in) per year, until they reach unoccupied areas, then forming polyps at the end of the runner.
Reproduction occurs sexually during summer, spring, and winter seasons. After fertilization, the female corals will carry the eggs as the offspring develop within her gastrovascular cavity and released as larvae. After being released, the larvae disperse and eventually settle on rocky seafloors “cementing” its skeletal structure to a rock. Once cemented, the coral will grow and reside there for the rest of its life.
Tubastrea are difficult to keep in aquaria, because they require daily feedings of zooplankton. In addition, they extend their colorful tentacles only at night, further reducing their appeal.

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Distichopora

In cave area and under
Grow upside – down
Not true coral
ahermatypic

FYI: Distichopora (Order Stylasterina)
The genus Distichopora is a member of the coelenterate class Hydrozoa, unlike most of the other coral genera described in the Coral Finder and Coral Hub, which are Anthozoa. Two key features of the Hydrozoans are (1) Generations alternate between a sexually reproductive medusoid form and an asexually reproductive polyp form, (2) Polyps are specialised, partitioning work, so that one polyp may deal with prey capture, whereas another polyp may focus on consuming the prey. Unlike Millepora however, Distichopora does not contain symbiotic algae, it is therefore termed azooxanthellate. For more information, check out the Hydrozoa page on Coral Hub.
ID Tips
Distichopora are distinctive, often brightly coloured corals. The colonies are branched, with the branches arrayed in a fan-like or planar arrangement. The branches are blunt tipped, giving a slightly stubby appearance. This genus lacks symbiotic algae and therefore is not reliant on sunlight for photosynthesis, as a result colonies are often found in shaded areas such as caves or at significant depths.
The polyps are arranged along the sides of the branches, and like Millepora the polyps are immersed in small pores.
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Distichopora in one key group with other non-scleractinians, but only Stylaster, also a member of the Stylasterina, is a possible source of confusion. The two genera may be differentiated by examining the branches; Distichopora has thicker, blunter branches, whereas Stylaster’s branches are finer and form pointed tips.

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Stylaster

Not light dependant
Not true coral
Color is deposited in limestone skeleton
In BTR – in cave area

FYI: Stylaster (Order Stylasterina)
The genus Stylaster is a member of the coelenterate class Hydrozoa, unlike most of the other coral genera described in the Coral Finder and Coral Hub, which are Anthozoa. Two key features of the Hydrozoans are (1) Generations alternate between a sexually reproductive medusoid form and an asexually reproductive polyp form, (2) Polyps are specialised, partitioning work, so that one polyp may deal with prey capture, whereas another polyp may focus on consuming the prey. Unlike Millepora however, Stylaster does not contain symbiotic algae, it is therefore termed azooxanthellate. For more information, check out the Hydrozoa page on Coral Hub.
Distribution
Found in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
ID Tips
Stylaster are distinctive, often pink or purple coloured corals. The colonies are branched, with the branches arrayed in a fan-like or planar arrangement. The branches are delicate and pointed. This genus lacks symbiotic algae and therefore is not reliant on sunlight for photosynthesis, as a result colonies are often found in shaded areas such as caves or at significant depths.
The polyps are arranged along the sides of the branches, and like Millepora the polyps are immersed in small pores. The polyps are arranged in an alternating pattern on the two sides of the branches giving a stepped pattern.
Similar Genera
The Coral Finder lists Stylaster in one key group with other non-scleractinians, but only Distichopora, also a member of the Stylasterina, is a possible source of confusion. The two genera may be differentiated by examining the branches; Distichopora has thicker, blunter branches, whereas Stylaster’s branches are finer and form pointed tips.

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BTR Corals Flashcards

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