Platygyra contorta
A colonial stony coral with thin walls and curved valleys.
Platygyra contorta is a colonial stony coral belonging to the family Merulinidae. Its colonies, which can be columnar or encrusting, often grow to over one meter across. The coral displays a range of colors, including light yellow, green, grey, and red, and is characterized by thin walls. Its septa are uneven, and the valleys between them are curved and short near the colony’s center, becoming longer and straighter toward the edges. These valleys measure between 3.5 and 5 millimeters wide. The species closely resembles *Goniastrea deformis* and *Platygyra verweyi*.
This coral is found in the eastern and western Indian Ocean, as well as the northwestern, eastern central, and western central Pacific Ocean. In Japan, it is common near Honshu but uncommon in the Ryukyu Islands. It also occurs in Australia, Vietnam, Yemen, Madagascar, Fiji, Thailand, the Marshall Islands, and East Africa. It lives at depths of 2 to 20 meters in lagoons, shallow reefs, and on rocks. Although its population is thought to be declining, the species is listed as least concern by the IUCN. It faces threats from climate change, ocean acidification, coral disease, fishing, human activities, and bleaching. It is also listed under Appendix II of CITES.
First described by John Veron in 1990, specimens of this coral had earlier been studied in 1977 but were then identified as *Platygyra rustica*.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Platygyra contorta
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Platygyra contorta was first described by John Veron in 1990, though specimens studied in 1977 had been identified as Platygyra rustica. The species forms columnar or encrusting colonies and displays a range of colors including light yellow, green, grey, or red. Its septa are non-uniform, and its valleys are curved and short at the center of colonies, becoming linear and long at the margins. Valleys measure between 3.5 and 5 millimeters in width. The species resembles Goniastrea deformis and Platygyra verweyi.
It is found in the eastern and western Indian Ocean, and the northwestern, eastern central, and western central Pacific Ocean. In Japan, it is common near Honshu but uncommon in the Ryukyu Islands. It also occurs in Australia, Vietnam, Yemen, Madagascar, Fiji, Thailand, the Marshall Islands, and East Africa. The species inhabits depths of 2 to 20 meters in lagoons, shallow reefs, and on rocks. Its population is thought to be decreasing, and it is threatened by climate change, ocean acidification, coral disease, fishing, human activities, and bleaching.
Reader's Guide
Platygyra contorta is recognized as a least-concern species by the IUCN, yet its population is thought to be decreasing. The species faces multiple threats including climate change, ocean acidification, coral disease, fishing, human activities, and bleaching. Its listing under Appendix II of CITES indicates international concern over its trade. The species is notable for its large colony size—often exceeding 1 meter in diameter—and its wide distribution across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from East Africa to the Marshall Islands. Its presence in both shallow lagoons and reef environments, as well as its variable coloration and valley morphology, make it a subject of interest for coral taxonomy and ecology. The historical misidentification as Platygyra rustica highlights the challenges in coral systematics. Despite its current least-concern status, the documented threats and population decline suggest ongoing monitoring is warranted.
Did You Know?
- Its colonies often exceed 1 meter in diameter.
- It is found at depths of 2 to 20 metres.
- The species is listed under Appendix II of CITES.
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