Kingdom Animalia Class Anthozoa Family Meandrinidae Rank Species | Phylum Cnidaria Order Scleractinia Genus Dichocoenia | |
 | ||
Similar Dichocoenia stokesi, Isophyllia sinuosa, Mussa angulosa, Meandrinidae, Diploria clivosa | ||
Dichocoenia stellaris, commonly known as pancake star coral, is a species of stony coral in the family Meandrinidae. It is found in the West Indies and the Bahamas. Its form is a flat, platform-like structure and it is usually found in deeper water than the closely related pineapple coral (Dichocoenia stokesi). Some authorities consider these to be the same species while other authorities regard them as distinct.
Contents
Description
Dichocoenia stellaris is a massive colonial coral that forms thick plates. The corallites, the stony cups that support the coral polyps, are round or slightly elongated and seldom Y-shaped, a fact that distinguishes this species from Dichocoenia stokesi which has very irregular corallites. The colour is usuarly green, olive or brown.
Distribution and habitat
Dichocoenia stellaris occurs in the Bahamas, Bonaire, Puerto Rico and Jamaica, the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and southern Florida. It grows at depths ranging from 2 to 72 metres (6 to 236 feet). The corallites are larger and more prominent in individuals growing at greater depths.