Pavona clavus
| Pavona clavus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Agariciidae |
| Genus: | Pavona |
| Species: | P. clavus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pavona clavus (Dana, 1846)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Pavona clavus is a species of colonial stony coral in the family Agariciidae. It is a widespread but uncommon species known from the Pacific and Indian oceans, the South China Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.[1]
Description
[edit]Pavona clavus is a cream, yellow, brown, or pale grey coral typically forming columnar or club-shaped colonies, though it may also form flattened plates.[3][4] The columns are generally smooth and uniform in size, typically measuring up to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) in diameter.[3] The are capable of dividing but not fusing.[4][5] The colonies may range from 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter to over 10 m (33 ft) across, sometimes forming extensive single-species stands.[4]
The corallites of this species are circular and very small, measuring 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.138 in) in diameter, with thick, well defined walls.[3][4] The corallites may be arranged irregularly or in short valleys.[5]
Flattened colonies of P. clavus may resemble P. bipartita, and the corallites are similar to those of P. duerdeni.[4]
Ecology
[edit]Pavona clavus is a reef-building species that grows at rates of 0.9–1.3 cm (0.35–0.51 in) per year. It is a preferred prey species of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci).[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Waheed, Z.; Luzon, K.; Johnson, J.; Cowburn, B.; Dellisanti, W.; Lewis, C. (2024). "Pavona clavus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024: e.T133240A165789360. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ Vanden Berghe, Edward; Garcia, Maria; van der Land, Jacob; Hoeksema, Bert (2024). "Pavona clavus (Dana, 1846)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Pichon, M.; Benzoni, F.; Chaineau, C.-H.; Dutrieux, E. (2010). Field guide to the hard corals of the southern coast of Yemen. Paris: Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. p. 90. ISBN 978-2-856536-60-5.
- ^ a b c d e Veron, J.E.N.; Stafford-Smith, M.G.; Turak, E.; DeVantier, L.M. (2016). "Pavona clavus Dana, 1846". Corals of the World. Version 0.01. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b Venkataraman, K.; Satyanarayana, Ch. (2012). Coral Identification Manual. Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. p. 58. ISBN 978-81-8171-308-7.