Pocillopora inflata
An uncommon stony coral of the tropical eastern Pacific.
Pocillopora inflata belongs to the stony coral family Pocilloporidae. Peter William Glynn gave the species its scientific name in 1999. This coral lives on reefs in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, but it never occurs in large numbers anywhere.
The coral forms colonies that grow like branching shrubs and host symbiotic zooxanthellae. Its shape varies: some colonies are knobbly mounds up to one meter across, while others have a more open structure with short branches a few centimeters thick. Colors range from yellowish brown to various shades of green. What sets this species apart from its relatives are swollen branch tips, very few or no pointed verrucae, and prominent columellae on the lower colony. The corallites are small and packed tightly together; some of the indistinct septa fuse with the columella. Each polyp has twelve tentacles.
Its range stretches from Mexico down to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. The coral prefers rocky shores and grows in water less than ten meters deep.
In the wild, it often grows alongside other Pocilloporid corals. Members of this genus grow relatively fast, and *P. inflata* adds between two and 4.4 centimeters of new growth each year. Most Pocilloporids brood their planula larvae, and this species likely does the same—though scientists once observed it releasing eggs and sperm into the water during a synchronized spawning event.
Many animals prey on it. Pufferfishes, parrotfishes, and filefishes nibble the branch tips, while hermit crabs scrape the skeletal tissue. Other predators, such as butterflyfishes, angelfishes, and the damselfish *Stegastes acapulcoensis*, consume the soft tissues and leave the skeleton behind. Invertebrate predators include the crown-of-thorns starfish, the sea urchin *Eucidaris galapagensis*, and the gastropods *Jenneria pustulata* and *Quoyula* sp. On the other side, the coral has mutualistic partners: crabs from the genus *Trapezia* and certain snapping shrimps defend it from the crown-of-thorns starfish, its main predator.
Throughout its range, *P. inflata* is uncommon and more vulnerable than many other corals to bleaching and to predation by the crown-of-thorns starfish, which is becoming more numerous in some areas. Like other corals, it faces threats from rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, ENSO events, severe storms, coral diseases, pollution, and coral harvesting.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Pocillopora
- Species
- inflata
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pocillopora inflata is a colonial, zooxanthellate, arborescent coral that varies in shape, sometimes forming knobbly mounds up to 1 metre across, and sometimes having a more open structure with short branches. Its colour ranges from yellowish brown to shades of green. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its swollen branch ends, a small number of pointed verrucae (or none at all), and prominent columellae on the lower part of the colony. The corallites are small and densely crowded, and some of the septa, which are indistinct, are fused with the columella. The polyps have 12 tentacles.
This species occurs from the coast of Mexico to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, favouring rocky shores at depths of less than 10 metres. It often grows among other Pocilloporid corals. Most Pocilloporids brood their planula larvae, and this may also be true of Pocillopora inflata, but it has on one occasion been observed to broadcast eggs and sperm in a synchronised spawning event. It has several predators, including pufferfishes, parrotfishes, filefishes, hermit crabs, butterflyfishes, angelfishes, the damselfish Stegastes acapulcoensis, the crown-of-thorns starfish, the sea urchin Eucidaris galapagensis, and the gastropods Jenneria pustulata and Quoyula sp. Mutualistic symbionts include the crab Trapezia sp. and certain snapping shrimps that protect it from the crown-of-thorns starfish.
Reader's Guide
Pocillopora inflata is notable as an uncommon coral throughout its range, first described in 1999. It is more susceptible than many other species to bleaching and to predation by the crown-of-thorns starfish, which is becoming more abundant in some areas. In common with other corals, it is threatened by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, ENSO events, severe storms, coral diseases, pollution, and coral harvesting. Its relatively fast growth rate of 2 to 4.4 centimetres per year and its observed spawning event contribute to understanding its reproductive ecology, though whether it typically broods larvae remains uncertain. The species' mutualistic relationships with Trapezia crabs and snapping shrimps highlight its ecological interactions, while its predators include a wide range of fish and invertebrates. Its restricted depth range and geographic distribution in the tropical eastern Pacific make it a species of interest for conservation monitoring.
Did You Know?
- Pocillopora inflata was first described by Peter William Glynn in 1999.
- It has swollen ends to its branches and a small number of pointed verrucae, or none at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pocillopora inflata?
Pocillopora inflata is a stony coral in the Pocilloporidae family, often grouped with birdsnest corals. Marine biologist Peter William Glynn formally described and named the species in 1999.
What does Pocillopora inflata look like?
Colonies can appear as knobbly mounds stretching up to a metre wide, or as more open, shrub-like structures with short branches just a few centimetres thick. Colouration typically falls somewhere between yellowish-brown and various shades of green.
Where can you find Pocillopora inflata?
This species is restricted to the tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from Mexican waters south to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. It stays in shallow reef zones, never occurring below roughly ten metres depth.
How fast does Pocillopora inflata grow?
The coral adds roughly two to four and a half centimetres of new growth each year. It also houses symbiotic zooxanthellae within its tissues, which help fuel that growth through photosynthesis.
Why is Pocillopora inflata considered uncommon?
Despite being a well-recognised species, it simply never forms dense populations on any reef. You are unlikely to stumble upon a large colony, as it tends to remain scattered and sparse throughout its entire range.
More in Pocillopora and Birdsnest Corals 1-15
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