Umbrella Leather Coral

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia 

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Octocorallia

Order: Malacalcyonacea

Family: Alcyoniidae 

Genus: Sarcophyton

Species: S. glaucum

Sarcophyton glaucum

Habitat & Distribution: Lagoons, reef flats and seaward reef slopes, at depths 2 - 30 m, Indo-West Pacific

Diet: Photosynthetic results and plankton

Size: Up to 90 cm

Lifespan: Unknown

Description

Hardy, fast growing soft coral that are distinguishable for their mushroom-like shape. Its colors are usually green, yellow or beige. Periodically, this soft coral will produce a waxy-like film of mucus, which it will shed within a few days to rid itself of parasites and detritus.

Behavior

It can be territorial. When there's another coral growing too closely to it, it can release terpenes that can inhibit its neighbors' growth. 

Reproduction

They can reproduce both sexually and asexually, releasing sperm and eggs to the water when they reproduce sexually and can split smaller parts of itself to form new colonies.

Communication & Perception

Like other corals, they rely on chemical cues to communicate. One of the uses being to signal their presence to other neighboring corals.

Predator

Common egg cowrie (Ovula ovum), a type of sea snail.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List; 2022)