Favites abdita
A near-threatened stony coral from the Indo-Pacific region.
Favites abdita, commonly called the larger star coral, is a type of stony coral belonging to the family Merulinidae. This coral forms massive, rounded, irregular mounds. Its individual corallites measure between 10 and 14 mm across, with thick walls and straight septa that feature well-developed teeth. Colors vary from reddish brown to greyish green, and the oral discs are typically green.
The species is found across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea, through the Indian Ocean, and into the western Pacific. It lives in shallow tropical and subtropical seas, down to about 15 meters deep, on rocks, rocky reefs, outer reef channels, reef slopes, and lagoons. It also occurs on deeper coral rubble between reefs. Its range includes South Africa, India, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and central Pacific island groups.
Though common and wide-ranging, and likely more resilient than some other corals, precise population trends are unknown. It faces the same threats as other reef species: global warming, ocean acidification, and habitat degradation. It is also collected for the aquarium trade. The IUCN has listed its conservation status as near-threatened.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Favites abdita
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Favites abdita is a massive colonial coral forming rounded irregular mounds. The corallites are 10 to 14 mm in diameter and have thick walls. The septa are straight with well-developed teeth. Various colours occur, ranging from reddish brown to greyish green, and the oral discs are usually green. Its distribution includes shallow tropical and subtropical seas, from the Red Sea and South Africa to India, Indonesia, Japan, Australia and the Central Pacific island groups. It is common on rocks and rocky reefs, outer reef channels, reef slopes and lagoons, and is also found at greater depths on coral rubble between reefs.
Reader's Guide
Favites abdita is a common species with a wide range and is likely to be more resilient than some other coral species. There is no precise information on population trends, but this coral faces the same threats as other species: global warming, ocean acidification and degradation of its coral reef habitats. It is collected for the reef aquarium trade. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being 'near-threatened'. Its significance lies in its role as a widespread, massive coral in Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems, though its resilience does not exempt it from the broader environmental pressures affecting coral reefs globally.
Did You Know?
- Favites abdita is also known as the larger star coral.
- Its corallites are 10 to 14 mm in diameter with thick walls.
- The oral discs of this coral are usually green.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Favites abdita?
Favites abdita, better known as the larger star coral, is a stony (scleractinian) coral classified within the family Merulinidae. It builds massive, rounded, and irregularly shaped mounds on tropical reef slopes.
What do Favites abdita's corallites look like?
Each individual corallite spans roughly 10 to 14 mm in diameter and is enclosed by thick walls lined with straight septa that bear well-developed teeth. The colony's coloration typically ranges from reddish brown to greyish green, while the oral discs tend to appear green.
Where can I find Favites abdita in the wild?
This species ranges across the Indo-Pacific, stretching from East Africa and the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. It inhabits shallow tropical and subtropical waters, generally at depths not exceeding about 15 metres.
What is Favites abdita's conservation status?
Favites abdita is currently listed as Near Threatened, reflecting ongoing pressures on shallow Indo-Pacific reef habitats. Its restricted depth range of roughly 15 metres or less makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes.
Why is Favites abdita notable among merulinid corals?
As a massive mound-forming stony coral, it plays a significant structural role in building three-dimensional reef architecture across a wide Indo-Pacific range. Its relatively large corallites (up to 14 mm) and thick-walled construction distinguish it from many smaller merulinid relatives.
More in Brain and Merulinid Corals 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced