''Caulastraea'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
stony corals in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Merulinidae
Merulinidae is a family of reef-building stony corals.
Characteristics
All the genera in this family are colonial, reef-building corals. Skeletal structures are similar to those of Faviidae but are highly fused, without paliform lobes. The valle ...
.
Species of ''Caulastraea'' are commonly found in the aquarium trade under the names candy cane coral or trumpet coral.
Species
The following
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
are currently recognized:
*''
Caulastraea connata''
(Ortmann, 1892)
*''
Caulastraea curvata''
Wijsman-Best, 1972
*''
Caulastraea echinulata''
(M. Edwards & Haime, 1849)
*''
Caulastraea furcata''
Dana, 1846
*''
Caulastraea tumida''
Matthai, 1928
Gallery
File:Candy cane coral (Caulastrea echinulata) (5).jpg, At Birdworld
Birdworld is the United Kingdom's largest bird park, covering . It is located in the East Hampshire district, close to the village of Bucks Horn Oak and the surrounding Alice Holt Forest. It is part of the parent company Haskins Garden Centre Lt ...
, England
File:Caulastraea 1.jpg, A colony in captivity
File:Caulastraea, luz actÃnica.jpg, Feeder tentacles extended
References
External links
*
*
Merulinidae
Scleractinia genera
{{scleractinia-stub