831 species

Plerogyra simplex

Rehberg, 1892

Plerogyra

Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848

Characters: Colonies are branched, the branches being of uniform length and uniformly spaced. Branches are monocentric, forming phaceloid colonies. The coenosteum is smooth, with costae only formed below corallite rims. During the day, vesicles sometimes form a continuous mass although the underlying phaceloid shape can be distinguished. At night, long tentacles are extended from the base of vesicles.

Colour: Cream, grey or pale brown.

Similar Species: Superficially resembles Euphyllia paraglabrescens. Vesicles are smaller than those of Plerogyra sinuosa.

Habitat: Shallow protected reef environments especially in turbid water.

Abundance: Uncommon.

Taxonomic References: Hodgson and Ross (1981); Veron (2000a);

Identification Guides: Turak and DeVantier (2011b);

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change