Pavona decussata
A colonial stony coral with leafy branches, found on sloping reefs.
Pavona decussata, commonly called leaf coral, is a colonial stony coral belonging to the family Agariciidae. It inhabits shallow waters across a variety of reef environments, favoring gently sloping surfaces in the tropical western and central Indo-Pacific.
Colonies form submassive structures with leafy branches or appendages. These leaves range from 3 to 10 millimeters thick and bear corallites on both sides. The corallites, measuring 2 to 3 millimeters across, are usually scattered irregularly but sometimes align in rows parallel to leaf edges or radial ridges. Colors vary and can include greenish, brown, orange, or creamy yellow tones.
This species is native to a broad Indo-Pacific range, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, the East China Sea, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia. It is fairly common in various reef habitats, especially on slopes, down to about 15 meters deep.
Although widespread and common, the population trend is unknown. Pavona decussata is susceptible to bleaching, and the number of mature colonies likely declines due to reef habitat destruction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists its conservation status as "vulnerable."
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pavona decussata
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Colonies of Pavona decussata are submassive structures, usually with leafy appendages or branches. These leaves are between 3 and 10 millimetres thick and have corallites on both sides. The corallites are between 2 and 3 millimetres in diameter and are mostly scattered irregularly, but are sometimes in rows parallel to the margins of the leaves or of the radial ridges. The colour varies, but may be greenish or some shade of brown, orange or creamy yellow.
Pavona decussata is native to the western and central Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, the East China Sea, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is a fairly common species and occurs in various reef habitats especially on sloping surfaces, at depths down to about 15 metres.
The population trend is unknown, however this coral is susceptible to bleaching, and it is probable that the number of mature colonies is decreasing as a result of destruction of its reef habitats. Its conservation status has been assessed as being 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Reader's Guide
Pavona decussata is notable as a fairly common species with a widespread distribution across the western and central Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, the East China Sea, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. Its presence in various reef habitats, particularly on gently sloping surfaces down to about 15 metres, makes it a characteristic component of shallow reef communities. The species is known for its submassive colonies with leafy appendages or branches, which bear corallites on both sides, and its colour can range from greenish to shades of brown, orange, or creamy yellow. Despite its current common status, the species is susceptible to bleaching, and the destruction of its reef habitats is probably causing a decrease in the number of mature colonies. This vulnerability has led to its assessment as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of its populations and reef habitats.
Did You Know?
- Pavona decussata is sometimes known as leaf coral.
- Corallites are found on both sides of the leaves.
- Its conservation status is assessed as 'vulnerable' by the IUCN.
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