reef coral Mussismila harttii and other encrusted organisms underwater Abrolhos, Bahia, Brazil
This species presents the calyces separated, in a dichotomous form, without forming lateral branches. Three different morphological variations are described by Laborel (1969a) as lax, intermediate and confertifolia varieties. The loose variety has the calyces quite separate and characterizes the environments of calmer waters. The confertifolia variety has slightly separated calyces and is commonly found in more agitated waters, and the intermediate variety covers all forms that do not exhibit the extreme characteristics of laxa and confertifolia varieties. The living colony shows a varied coloration in shades of gray, yellow, green and brown. This is an endemic species of Brazilian coralline fauna. It presents archaic characteristics having affinity with species present in the Tertiary period of the Mediterranean sedimentary basin. It occurs from the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, on the islands of Fernando de Noronha, to the coast of the State of Espírito Santo. It seems to compete for space with Mussismilia braziliensis, because it is rare where M. braziliensis is abundant, as for example, in the area of Abrolhos, and is a primary constructor in the coastal reefs of the state of Pernambuco, where M. braziliensis is absent. It occurs in shallow water (2 to 3 m), resists well to moderate turbidity and also recorded in deeper waters (15 to 30 m and occasionally 80 m).
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Abrolhos, Bahia, Brazil
Photo credit: © Leo Francini / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: abrolhos, algae, area, bahia, brazil, colony, coral, encrusted, harttii, marine, marinho, mussismila, nacional, national, parasite, parasited, park, parque, polyp, protected, reef, sediment, sponge, sponges, underwater
