Moon
coral
Diploastrea heliopora
Family Faviidae
updated
Feb 09
Where
seen? This beautiful neat coral is rarely seen, so far
only on some of our Southern shores. Diploastrea heliopora
is the only member of this genus.
Features: Colonies about 15cm,
elsewhere recorded to grow up to 7m wide and 2m tall. The corallites
(about 1cm diameter) are similarly-sized neat domes with a small central
opening. The walls of the corallite radiate out in neat regular rays
and continue over the spaces in between the corallites. The corallites
are regularly spaced out and give an overall regular tidy pattern.
The large polyp tentacles are said to emerge at night. The colonies
are said to be usually dome-shaped but may become almost spherical
boulders. Those seen appear to be encrusting. Colours seen include
pinkish and brown.
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Pulau Jong, Jul 07
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Moon
corals on Singapore shores

Sisters Islands, Apr 04
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Pulau Semakau, Aug 08
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Terumbu Raya, Feb 09
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Terumbu Raya, Feb 09 
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Terumbu Raya, Feb 09
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Terumbu Salu, Jan 10
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