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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
Dipsastraea rotumana (Gardiner, 1899)
| Family: |
Merulinidae |
| Genera: |
Dipsastraea |
| Species: |
rotumana |
| Common name: |
Moon Coral |
| Field characteristics: |
Coral colonies are submassive to massive. Their colony shapes range from hemispherical (massive) to flattened and encrusting (submassive). Corallites are closely packed together, especially those on the top of the colony. Their shapes are irregular. Unlike other Dipsastraea species, this coral has a very ragged appearance. This is because of their spiny skeletal structures. Conspicuous spines could be seen on the corallite wall. Colonies usually have varying shades of brown and may appear mottled. |
| Abundance: |
Abundant |
| Distribution : |
This coral species was recorded in many locations, especially in the Marine Parks in the northeastern part of Hong Kong waters. |
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| Dipsastraea rotumana |
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