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Scientific Name: Blastomussa merleti (Wells, 1961)
English Name: Branched cup coral
Local/Bangla Name: Not Known.
Branched cup coral - Not Known. - Blastomussa merleti - Type: Hardcorals

Photo: GBIF

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Plerogyridae
Description:
Coloration typically ranges from a prevalent dark red hue with easily noticeable green oral discs. Alternatively, the coral may exhibit shades of pink, orange, brown, or a consistent dark grey with white edges on the main septa. The colonies take on a phaceloid structure, varying in size from a few corallites to a substantial number. The septa primarily occur in two distinct orders, with only the first order extending to the columella. These septa possess slightly serrated edges, and the primary septa may protrude outward. Columellae development is limited. During daylight hours, the mantles are extended, forming a continuous surface that conceals the underlying growth structure, but tentacles remain retracted.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Saint Martin’s Island
Environment:
Marine
Main References:

Haider SMB, Islam MT, Atiya MSI & Mahbub-E-Kibria M (2022) Present scenario of coral diversity at Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 10(3): 01-15.

DNA Barcodes from Bangladesh
GenBank Accession Number:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
IUCN conservation status:
Other Information