Dipsastraea pallida
A widespread colonial stony coral of the Indo-Pacific.
Dipsastraea pallida is a colonial stony coral belonging to the family Merulinidae. It forms solid, rounded mounds. In shallower water, its circular corallites are tightly packed, while in deeper areas they are more spread out. The septa are irregular and widely spaced, and the palliform lobes are small. This coral is typically cream, green, or pale yellow, often with oral discs of a contrasting color.
This species is widespread across the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, from the East African coast, Madagascar, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, through Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, the South China Sea, and Australia, to various western Pacific archipelagos. It inhabits rocky reef environments, often dominating the edges of back reefs, and can be found at depths of 50 meters (160 feet) or more.
First described in 1846 as *Favia pallida* by American zoologist James Dwight Dana, it was later moved to the genus *Dipsastraea*, though some still use the original name. In the Indo-Pacific region, it is one of several coral species bioeroded by the sponge *Cliona orientalis*, which tunnels into its skeleton.
The coral is harvested for the aquarium trade, with Indonesia exporting roughly 5,000 live pieces annually. Despite this, it remains a common species with a broad range and a presumed large total population. Its greatest threats are habitat loss, climate change, and ocean acidification. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists its conservation status as "least concern."
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Dipsastraea pallida
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Dipsastraea pallida was first described in 1846 as Favia pallida by the American zoologist James Dwight Dana; it was later transferred to the genus Dipsastraea, though some authorities continue to use the original name. The coral forms solid rounded mounds. In shallow water, the corallites are circular and set closely together, while in deeper water they are more scattered. The septa are widely spaced and often irregular, and the palliform lobes are small. The coral is usually cream-coloured, green or pale yellow, with the oral discs of the polyps often being a contrasting color.
Its distribution extends from the East African coast, Madagascar, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, through the Indian Ocean to southeastern Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and the South China Sea, western, northern and eastern Australia, and various archipelagoes in the western Pacific Ocean. It is found in various rocky reef habitats and is often the dominant species on the fringes of back reefs, occurring at depths down to 50 m or more. Ecologically, it is one of several Indo-Pacific coral species bioeroded by the sponge Cliona orientalis, which tunnels into its skeletal structure.
Reader's Guide
Dipsastraea pallida is notable as a common and widespread coral species in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a range spanning from East Africa to the western Pacific. Its conservation status of 'least concern' reflects its presumed large total population, despite being collected for the reef aquarium trade—with a quota of around 5000 live pieces exported annually from Indonesia, the main exporter. The largest threats it faces are habitat loss, climate change, and ocean acidification, rather than collection pressure. The species also plays a role in reef ecology as a host for bioeroding sponges like Cliona orientalis. Its taxonomic history, involving a transfer from the genus Favia to Dipsastraea with ongoing debate among authorities, adds a layer of scientific context. Overall, its significance lies in its abundance and wide distribution, making it a representative species for monitoring the health of Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dipsastraea pallida?
Dipsastraea pallida is a colonial stony coral in the family Merulinidae that builds solid, rounded mound-shaped colonies. It was first described by James Dwight Dana in 1846 under the name Favia pallida before being reclassified into its current genus.
Where can I find Dipsastraea pallida in the wild?
This species has a broad Indo-Pacific range, stretching from the East African coast, Madagascar, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden across Southeast Asia and into Indonesia and the western Pacific.
What does Dipsastraea pallida look like?
Colonies typically show cream, green, or pale yellow coloration, often with oral discs in a noticeably contrasting shade. In shallower water the circular corallites are tightly packed, whereas in deeper areas they spread further apart, and the septa appear irregular and widely spaced.
How deep can Dipsastraea pallida grow?
The coral can be encountered at depths reaching 50 meters (roughly 160 feet) or beyond. Its corallite spacing shifts noticeably depending on whether the colony sits in shallow or deeper water.
What is the conservation status of Dipsastraea pallida?
The IUCN classifies this species as least concern, a reflection of its wide geographic spread. Indonesia currently permits an annual export quota of approximately 5,000 live pieces for the aquarium trade.
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