Mycetophyllia is a genus of stony corals in the family Mussidae. The genera are native to the Caribbean Sea and sometimes kept in reef aquariums.[2] Like all corals in the Mussidae family, Mycetophyllia are hermatypic, or reef-building corals. They receive nutrients from their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which are single-celled photosynthetic dinoflagellates. They are passive suspension feeders that feed on organic matter suspended in the water column.
These coral colonies have flat disc-like or dome structures with scalloped edges. They also have corallites which cover the surface radially towards the center. Depending on the species, they may have a pattern of valleys and ridges on their surface. They are often brown, green, or grey in color and are identified by their thin plates and irregular ridge pattern. There are five known species within Mycetophyllia each with unique morphological features. Mycetophyllia aliciae is characterized by a thin, scalloped plate. M. aliciae does not have defined valleys and ridges like other species. This species reaches a maximum diameter of 1 meter. Mycetophyllia danaana is the smallest species of the genera with a diameter of 30 centimeters. M. danaana colonies have thick plates with deep narrow ridges. M. ferox has thin plates with distinctive ridges and valleys across the surface. The maximum diameter is 1 meter. M. lamarckiana forms small, round mounds rather than a plate. Valleys stretch across the surface and the species is usually light brown or grey in color. M. reesi has the thinnest plate of the all Mycetophyllia species with no ridges and a smooth surface.[3]
Mycetophyllia is a genus native to the Caribbean sea, southern Gulf of Mexico, southern Florida, and the Bahamas.[4] The geographic range is between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator at latitudes 10-25°N and longitudes 60-80°W.[4] These stony corals occupy benthic rocky substrates and are hermatypic, or reef-building corals. These corals are most abundant at depths of 10–25 meters; however, distribution greatly varies by species. The M. reesi species occupies the greatest depths found in deep-water fore reefs from 20 to 76 meters.[5]
Like many stony corals, these corals are hermaphroditic, with some species possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Sexually mature corals produce gametes through meiosis. They begin their life cycle as polyps, or small, cylindrical marine invertebrates. When environmental conditions are favorable, polyps release sperm into the water column which allows new coral colonies to be fertilized through external fertilization.[6] Coral spawning occurs once a year during a full moon. After fertilization, the egg, called a zygote, drifts through the water and undergoes cell division in mitosis. An embryo develops into a planula larva, a type of microscopic zooplankton. The coral planula moves with tiny cilia that cover the body until it finds a hard substrate suitable for settlement.[7]
Widespread threats are causing coral populations to decline worldwide. Factors such as habitat loss, disease, warming ocean temperatures, and physical destruction are contributing to reduced coral populations worldwide. Localized threats include human development, invasive species, unsustainable fishing practices, and pollution. Stony corals throughout the Caribbean are greatly threatened by habitat loss and susceptible to disease. White band disease has led to coral deaths in this region.[8] Scientists are still unsure on the cause of white band disease, which is identified by peeling tissue and an exposed white skeleton.[9]
The World Register of Marine Species recognizes the following species in the genus Mycetophyllia:[2]
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) Mycetophyllia es un género de coral hermatípico, de la familia Mussidae, orden Scleractinia.
Su nombre común en inglés es cactus coral, o coral cactus.
Este género tiene descritas 5 especies,[1] con diferentes estados de conservación:[2]
Forma colonias con esqueletos en forma de plato liso, masivo o en lomas. La superficie superior está atravesada por crestas irregulares, que parten de la periferia hacia el centro, formando valles. Normalmente, los pólipos son muy carnosos.
Los colores de los pólipos pueden ser marrón, gris, azulado y verde.
Algunas especies alcanzan más de 100 cm de diámetro.[3]
Todas las especies se distribuyen en el Atlántico occidental, desde Florida hasta el Caribe y el golfo de México.
Localizados en diversas zonas, aunque prefieren las laderas más bajas del arrecife, en aguas tranquilas y túrbias; desde 0 a 70 m de profundidad.
En la naturaleza se nutre principalmente de la fotosíntesis realizada por las algas zooxantelas que habitan el tejido de sus pólipos. Las algas realizan la fotosíntesis produciendo oxígeno y azúcares, que son aprovechados por los corales, y se alimentan de los catabolitos del coral, especialmente fósforo y nitrógeno.[4] Esto le proporciona entre el 75 y el 90% de sus requerimientos nutricionales, completando su alimentación mediante la captura de zooplancton con sus tentáculos y la absorción de materia orgánica disuelta en el agua.
Las colonias producen esperma y huevos que se fertilizan externamente en el agua. Las larvas deambulan por la columna de agua hasta que se posan y fijan en el lecho marino. Una vez allí, se convierten en pólipos y comienzan a secretar carbonato cálcico para construir su esqueleto, o coralito. Posteriormente, se reproducen mediante gemación del pólipo, dando origen a la colonia.
Mycetophyllia es un género de coral hermatípico, de la familia Mussidae, orden Scleractinia.
Su nombre común en inglés es cactus coral, o coral cactus.
Mycetophyllia est un genre de coraux durs de la famille des Mussidae[1].
Selon World Register of Marine Species (30 décembre 2015)[2] et ITIS (30 décembre 2015)[3], le genre Mycetophyllia comprend les espèces suivantes :
Mycetophyllia est un genre de coraux durs de la famille des Mussidae.
Mycetophyllia is een geslacht van rifkoralen uit de familie Mussidae.
Mycetophyllia is een geslacht van rifkoralen uit de familie Mussidae.
