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What are the twenty coral species commonly found in Hong Kong Marine Parks?
Classification of corals?
Description of twenty selected coral species commonly found within Hong Kong Marine Park Areas
Leptastrea purpurea (Dana, 1846)
| Family: |
Scleractinia incertae sedis |
| Genera: |
Leptastrea |
| Species: |
purpurea |
| Field characteristics: |
Colonies are usually encrusting but may become submassive.This is a distinctive and common coral recognizable through its colouration. Colonies are brownish purple with white corallite centres and the brown polyp tentacles are often extended during the day. Corallites vary in size within the same individual and this feature is used to differentiate it from the other Leptastrea species. This species is often colonized by boring organisms such as tube worms and the coral will grow around these organisms forming horn-like structures on the upper surfaces of the colony. |
| Abundance: |
Abundant |
| Distribution : |
This species has an extensive geographical distribution range recorded from the western through to the northeastern and eastern waters. A common species in the well-established coral communities of the northeastern waters of Hong Kong and is also able to survive in the more marginal coral habitats of the western region. Well-represented in Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks . |
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| Leptastrea purpurea |
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