Balanophyllia bonaespei
| Balanophyllia bonaespei | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Dendrophylliidae |
| Genus: | Balanophyllia |
| Species: | B. bonaespei |
| Binomial name | |
| Balanophyllia bonaespei van der Horst, 1938[1] | |
Balanophyllia bonaespei is a species of solitary cup coral, a stony coral in the family Dendrophylliidae.[2] It is an azooxanthellate species that does not contain symbiotic dinoflagellates in its tissues as most corals do.[1]
Description
Cup corals are solitary hard corals which superficially resemble orange sea anemones. They grow to 1–2 cm in diameter. They have almost transparent beaded tentacles.[3]
Distribution
This species is known from Saldanha Bay to East London off the South African coast, and lives from 5 to 150 metres (16 to 492 ft) under water.
Ecology
This species is often found in caves or under dark overhangs.[3]
References
- ^ a b Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bonaespei van der Horst, 1938 World Register of Marine Species. accessed 15 August 2012
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
- ^ a b Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9