Stylophora pistillata
A widespread Indo-Pacific stony coral used in scientific research.
Stylophora pistillata, also called hood coral or smooth cauliflower coral, belongs to the stony coral family Pocilloporidae and is found across the Indo-Pacific. Scientists frequently use it in research.
The coral grows in broad, blunt-ended branches, and as colonies age they become thicker and more submassive. A colony can reach about 30 cm (12 in) across. Its corallites—the stony cups housing the polyps—are conical or hooded and sit below the surface. The columella, or central column, is solid and prominent, and the septa (the stony plates forming the corallite wall) may fuse with it. Typically there are six primary septa, sometimes with six secondary ones. Colony colors include cream, pink, bluish, or green.
This species is widespread across tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters, from Madagascar, East Africa, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf, through the Indian Ocean to northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Japan, and many western and central Pacific island groups. It builds reefs and prefers exposed habitats with strong water movement, living down to about 15 m (50 ft).
The coral hosts gall crabs, Trapezia crabs, boring clams, date mussels, barnacles, Christmas tree worms, and damselfish. Some, like date mussels, are parasites that bore into and weaken the skeleton. Boring clams, however, bring fresh, oxygenated water into the colony, benefiting the coral.
Corals in general face threats from climate change—including rising sea temperatures and more violent storms—habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and increased disease susceptibility. Stylophora pistillata is prone to bleaching, where it expels beneficial zooxanthellae and turns white, risking death. Still, it is a common, widely distributed species and may be more resilient than less widespread corals. It is collected for the reef aquarium trade; about 10,000 pieces were exported in 2005. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists its conservation status as "near threatened."
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Stylophora
- Species
- pistillata
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Stylophora pistillata has broad, blunt-ended branches, and colonies become thicker and more submassive as they grow. The corallites are conical or hooded and are sunk beneath the general surface. The columella is solid and prominent, and the septa may be fused to the columella. Colonies can be cream, pink, bluish or green.
This coral is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific region, ranging from Madagascar, East Africa, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, through the Indian Ocean to northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Japan and many island groups in the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is a reef-building species and favours exposed habitats with strong water movement.
Stylophora pistillata provides a home to gall crabs, Trapezia crabs, boring clams, date mussels, barnacles, Christmas tree worms and damselfish. Some, such as the date mussels, are parasites that bore into the coral structure and weaken the coral skeleton. However, boring clams bring fresh, oxygenated water into the colony which benefits the coral.
Reader's Guide
Stylophora pistillata is notable for its wide distribution and its use in scientific investigations. The chief threats faced by corals in general include climate change, sea temperature rise, increase in violent storms, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and increasing susceptibility to coral diseases. This species is prone to coral bleaching, a condition in which corals force out beneficial zooxanthellae from their tissues and become white and liable to die. However, it is a common species with a wide distribution and may be more resilient than some less widespread coral species. It is collected for the reef aquarium trade, with about 10,000 pieces being exported in 2005. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being 'near threatened'.
Did You Know?
- Stylophora pistillata is also known as hood coral or smooth cauliflower coral.
- Its colonies can reach a maximum diameter of about 30 cm (12 in).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stylophora pistillata?
Stylophora pistillata is a stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae, commonly known as hood coral or smooth cauliflower coral. It is one of the most geographically widespread coral species in the Indo-Pacific.
What does Stylophora pistillata look like?
It grows in broad, blunt-tipped branches that become thicker and more massive as the colony matures, reaching roughly 30 cm across. Each corallite is conical or hood-shaped, sits below the colony surface, and features a solid central column surrounded by six primary septa.
Where can you find Stylophora pistillata in the wild?
It inhabits shallow reef environments throughout the Indo-Pacific, typically at depths down to about 15 meters. Its broad distribution makes it a familiar sight on reef flats and upper slopes across that region.
Why do scientists rely on Stylophora pistillata for research?
Its abundance, ease of collection, and physiological robustness make it a go-to model organism for coral biology studies. Because it occurs across so many different environments, researchers can also use it to compare how populations respond to varying conditions.
What is Stylophora pistillata's conservation status?
It is currently classified as Near Threatened, meaning it is approaching a higher-risk category but does not yet meet the formal criteria for one. The species remains popular in the aquarium trade, with roughly 10,000 pieces exported in 2005 alone.
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