About Porites cylindrica Dana, 1846
Porites cylindrica Dana, 1846 is a hermatypic (reef-building) stony coral. This species can grow to a few square meters wide and forms micro-atolls, with entire large colonies weighing several tons. Its colonies are typically colored cream, yellow, blue, pale brown, or green. Like all stony corals, P. cylindrica is made up of very small polyps that measure 1–3mm across; these polyps secrete calcium carbonate to build the coral’s calcium carbonate skeleton. Over time, large colonies of this reef-building coral create structural habitats for other organisms. P. cylindrica is a branching coral, meaning it has many branches, some of which develop secondary branches that grow in a range of directions. Branching corals like this species tend to grow faster than slower-growing coral forms, which lets them locate favorable microenvironments more effectively. However, their branching structure also makes them more vulnerable to breakage and injury. P. cylindrica is common to abundant in shallow waters between 1 and 11 meters deep, and has also been observed at depths up to 20 meters below the surface. It occurs in back reefs and lagoons in the West Pacific Ocean, Australian waters, the South China Sea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean.
