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{{Short description|Genus of corals}}
{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Herpolitha limax''
| name = ''Herpolitha limax''
| image = Herpolitha limax.jpg
| image = Herpolitha limax.jpg
| image_caption =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Hoeksema, B.W. |author2=Rogers, A. |author3=Quibilan, M.C. |date=2014 |title=''Herpolitha limax'' |volume=2014 |page=e.T133538A54279805 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133538A54279805.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| phylum = [[Cnidaria]]
⚫
| parent_authority = Eschscholtz, 1825 <ref>{{cite WoRMS |author=Hoeksema, Bert |year=2015 |title=''Herpolitha'' Eschscholtz, 1825 |id=205695 |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref>
| classis = [[Anthozoa]]
⚫
| taxon = Herpolitha limax
| ordo = [[Scleractinia]]
⚫
| authority = ([[Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper|Esper]], 1797) <ref name=worms>{{cite WoRMS |author=Hoeksema, Bert |year=2015 |title=''Herpolitha limax'' (Esper, 1797) |id=207363 |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref>
| familia = [[Fungiidae]]
| synonyms = {{hidden begin|title = List}}
| genus = '''''Herpolitha'''''
(Genus)
⚫
| genus_authority = Eschscholtz, 1825 <ref>{{cite WoRMS |author=Hoeksema, Bert |year=2015 |title=''Herpolitha'' Eschscholtz, 1825 |id=205695 |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref>
* ''Haliglossa'' <small>Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
| species = '''''H. limax'''''
* ''Herpetolitha'' <small>Milne Edwards & Haime, 1851</small>
⚫
| binomial = ''Herpolitha limax''
* ''Herpetolithas'' <small>Leuckart, 1841</small>
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper|Esper]], 1797) <ref name=worms>{{cite WoRMS |author=Hoeksema, Bert |year=2015 |title=''Herpolitha limax'' (Esper, 1797) |id=207363 |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref>
| synonyms =*''Fungia limacina''<small> Lamarck, 1801</small>
* ''Herpetolithus'' <small>Leuckart, 1841</small>
(Species)
*''Fungia praecursor''<small> Umbgrove, 1946 †</small>
*''Fungia weberi''<small> Van der Horst, 1921</small>
* ''Fungia limacina''<small> Lamarck, 1801</small>
*''Haliglossa foliosa''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
* ''Fungia praecursor''<small> Umbgrove, 1946 †</small>
*''Haliglossa interrupta''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
* ''Fungia weberi''<small> Van der Horst, 1921</small>
*''Haliglossa stellaris''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
* ''Haliglossa foliosa''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
*''Herpetoglossa secunda''<small> Nemenzo, 1988</small>
* ''Haliglossa interrupta''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
*''Herpetolitha ampla''<small> Verrill, 1864</small>
* ''Haliglossa stellaris''<small> Ehrenberg, 1834</small>
*''Herpetolithus crassus''<small> Dana, 1846</small>
* ''Herpetoglossa secunda''<small> Nemenzo, 1988</small>
*''Herpetolithus strictus''<small> Dana, 1846</small>
* ''Herpetolitha ampla''<small> Verrill, 1864</small>
*''Herpolitha weberi''<small> (van der Horst, 1921)</small>
* ''Herpetolitha foliosa'' <small>(Ehrenberg, 1834)</small>
*''Madrepora limax''<small> Esper, 1797</small>
* ''Herpetolithus crassus''<small> Dana, 1846</small>
*''Madrepora talpa''<small> Houttuyn, 1772</small>
* ''Herpetolithus strictus''<small> Dana, 1846</small>
*''Madrepora trilinguis''<small> Boddaert, 1768</small>
* ''Herpolitha weberi''<small> (van der Horst, 1921)</small>
*''Sandalolitha africana''<small> Veron, 2000</small>
* ''Madrepora limax''<small> Esper, 1797</small>
* ''Madrepora talpa''<small> Houttuyn, 1772</small>
* ''Madrepora trilinguis''<small> Boddaert, 1768</small>
* ''Sandalolitha africana''<small> Veron, 2000</small>
{{hidden end}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=worms/>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=worms/>
}}
}}


'''''Herpolitha''''' is a monotypic [[genus]] of corals in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Fungiidae]]. The only member of the genus is '''''Herpolitha limax''''', commonly known as the '''tongue''', '''slipper''', ''' mole''' or '''striate boomerang coral'''. It is a free-living species and is native to reefs in the [[Indo-Pacific]] region.
'''''Herpolitha''''' is a monotypic [[genus]] of mushroom [[coral]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Fungiidae]]. The only member of the genus is '''''Herpolitha limax''''', commonly known as the '''tongue''', '''slipper''', ''' mole''' or '''striate boomerang coral'''. It is a free-living species and is native to reefs and lagoons in the [[Indo-Pacific]] region. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed this coral as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]".


==Description==
==Description==
A [[Colony (biology)|colony]] of ''Herpolitha limax'' is an elongated structure with somewhat rounded ends and a single central axial furrow. In the furrow are many [[corallite]]s and there are irregularly spaced corallites elsewhere. The primary [[Septum (coral)|septa]] are finely-toothed and do not reach the edge of the colony but secondary septacostae do. Sometimes the furrow is forked and forms a "Y" shape or a "T" shape, or even an "X" shape, and occasionally they are domed. The colonies can grow to about {{convert|45|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|10|to|15|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide and are usually some shade of grey, brown or greenish-brown.<ref name=worms/><ref name=aims>{{cite web |url=http://coral.aims.gov.au/factsheet.jsp?speciesCode=0213 |title=''Herpolitha limax'' |year=2013 |publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref><ref name=Sprung>{{cite book |title=Corals: A quick reference guide |last=Sprung |first=Julian |year=1999 |publisher=Ricordea Publishing |isbn=1-883693-09-8 |page=57 }}</ref>
''Herpolitha limax'' has an elongated structure with somewhat rounded ends and a single, central, axial furrow that extends nearly from end to end. In the furrow are many conspicuous slit-like mouths and there are irregularly spaced, less-distinct mouths elsewhere. The primary [[Septum (coral)|septa]] are densely-toothed with fine spines and do not reach the edge of the colony. The [[Costa (coral)|costae]] are low with crowded, obtuse teeth. Sometimes the furrow is forked and forms a "Y" shape, a "T" shape, or even an "X" shape. This coral can grow to a length of {{convert|45|cm|0|abbr=on}} or more and is usually some shade of grey, brown or greenish-brown.<ref name=aims>{{cite web |url=http://coral.aims.gov.au/factsheet.jsp?speciesCode=0213 |title=''Herpolitha limax'' |year=2013 |publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science |accessdate=2015-04-29}}</ref><ref name=Sprung>{{cite book |title=Corals: A quick reference guide |last=Sprung |first=Julian |year=1999 |publisher=Ricordea Publishing |isbn=1-883693-09-8 |page=57 }}</ref>


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
''Herpolitha limax'' is native to the Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from East Africa and the Red Sea to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the South Central Pacific. It is found on reef slopes and in lagoons, often in close proximity to ''[[Fungia]]'' spp.<ref name=aims/>
''Herpolitha limax'' is native to the Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from East Africa and the Red Sea to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the South Central Pacific. It is found on reef slopes and in lagoons, often in close proximity to ''[[Fungia]]'' spp.<ref name=aims/> at depths down to about {{convert|30|m}}.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

==Ecology==
''Herpolitha limax'' is a colonial, free-living, [[zooxanthella]]te species of coral.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Veron|first1=J.E.N|title=Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific|date=1986|publisher=Angus & Robertson Publishing|location=350}}</ref> Under stressful conditions it is susceptible to [[Coral bleaching|bleaching]] and corals appear white after expelling their symbionts. In a period of high water temperature in Thailand in June 2010, bleaching was common and 52% of the corals of this species were affected, along with many other species of mushroom coral. By the following February, they seemed to have recovered with no trace of thermal-induced bleaching being present, and the species composition being similar to that before the bleaching event.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Hoeksema, B.W. |author2=Matthews, J.L. |author3=Yeemin, T. |year=2012 |title=The 2010 coral bleaching event and its impact on the mushroom coral fauna of Koh Tao, western Gulf of Thailand |journal=Phuket Mar. Biol. Cent. Res. Bull. |volume=71 |pages=71–81 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266885382 }}</ref>

==Status==
''Herpolitha limax'' has a very wide range and is a common species in suitable habitats. The population trend is unknown but this coral is harvested for the [[reef aquarium]] trade, over 2,000 pieces being collected in 2005. Corals face threats associated with [[climate change]] but the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed the conservation status of this species as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]".<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|33em}}
{{Commonscat|Herpolitha}}


{{Taxonbar|from1=Q19885280|from2=Q3944266}}


[[Category:Fungiidae]]
[[Category:Fungiidae]]
[[Category:Monotypic cnidarian genera]]
[[Category:Cnidarians of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Cnidarians of the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Red Sea]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Africa]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Asia]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Oceania]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of West Asia]]

Latest revision as of 10:49, 30 June 2023

Herpolitha limax
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Fungiidae
Genus: Herpolitha
Eschscholtz, 1825 [3]
Species:
H. limax
Binomial name
Herpolitha limax
(Esper, 1797) [2]
Synonyms[2]
List

(Genus)

  • Haliglossa Ehrenberg, 1834
  • Herpetolitha Milne Edwards & Haime, 1851
  • Herpetolithas Leuckart, 1841
  • Herpetolithus Leuckart, 1841

(Species)

  • Fungia limacina Lamarck, 1801
  • Fungia praecursor Umbgrove, 1946 †
  • Fungia weberi Van der Horst, 1921
  • Haliglossa foliosa Ehrenberg, 1834
  • Haliglossa interrupta Ehrenberg, 1834
  • Haliglossa stellaris Ehrenberg, 1834
  • Herpetoglossa secunda Nemenzo, 1988
  • Herpetolitha ampla Verrill, 1864
  • Herpetolitha foliosa (Ehrenberg, 1834)
  • Herpetolithus crassus Dana, 1846
  • Herpetolithus strictus Dana, 1846
  • Herpolitha weberi (van der Horst, 1921)
  • Madrepora limax Esper, 1797
  • Madrepora talpa Houttuyn, 1772
  • Madrepora trilinguis Boddaert, 1768
  • Sandalolitha africana Veron, 2000

Herpolitha is a monotypic genus of mushroom corals in the family Fungiidae. The only member of the genus is Herpolitha limax, commonly known as the tongue, slipper, mole or striate boomerang coral. It is a free-living species and is native to reefs and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this coral as being of "least concern".

Description[edit]

Herpolitha limax has an elongated structure with somewhat rounded ends and a single, central, axial furrow that extends nearly from end to end. In the furrow are many conspicuous slit-like mouths and there are irregularly spaced, less-distinct mouths elsewhere. The primary septa are densely-toothed with fine spines and do not reach the edge of the colony. The costae are low with crowded, obtuse teeth. Sometimes the furrow is forked and forms a "Y" shape, a "T" shape, or even an "X" shape. This coral can grow to a length of 45 cm (18 in) or more and is usually some shade of grey, brown or greenish-brown.[4][5]

Distribution[edit]

Herpolitha limax is native to the Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from East Africa and the Red Sea to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the South Central Pacific. It is found on reef slopes and in lagoons, often in close proximity to Fungia spp.[4] at depths down to about 30 metres (98 ft).[1]

Ecology[edit]

Herpolitha limax is a colonial, free-living, zooxanthellate species of coral.[6] Under stressful conditions it is susceptible to bleaching and corals appear white after expelling their symbionts. In a period of high water temperature in Thailand in June 2010, bleaching was common and 52% of the corals of this species were affected, along with many other species of mushroom coral. By the following February, they seemed to have recovered with no trace of thermal-induced bleaching being present, and the species composition being similar to that before the bleaching event.[7]

Status[edit]

Herpolitha limax has a very wide range and is a common species in suitable habitats. The population trend is unknown but this coral is harvested for the reef aquarium trade, over 2,000 pieces being collected in 2005. Corals face threats associated with climate change but the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation status of this species as being of "least concern".[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Hoeksema, B.W.; Rogers, A.; Quibilan, M.C. (2014). "Herpolitha limax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T133538A54279805. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133538A54279805.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hoeksema, Bert (2015). "Herpolitha limax (Esper, 1797)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  3. ^ Hoeksema, Bert (2015). "Herpolitha Eschscholtz, 1825". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  4. ^ a b "Herpolitha limax". Australian Institute of Marine Science. 2013. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  5. ^ Sprung, Julian (1999). Corals: A quick reference guide. Ricordea Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 1-883693-09-8.
  6. ^ Veron, J.E.N (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. 350: Angus & Robertson Publishing.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. ^ Hoeksema, B.W.; Matthews, J.L.; Yeemin, T. (2012). "The 2010 coral bleaching event and its impact on the mushroom coral fauna of Koh Tao, western Gulf of Thailand". Phuket Mar. Biol. Cent. Res. Bull. 71: 71–81.
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