Millepora platyphylla

From class Hydrozoa, Millepora platyphylla is not a true coral, distinguishing it from the stony corals and soft corals in class Anthozoa. Like other species of fire coral, it can have diverse growth forms, including branches, fans, plates, blades, or encrusting forms. The morphologies of these corals vary based on the habitats they inhabit. While encrusting forms are better able to resist wave activity, exposed sheet tree forms coupled with the action of breaking waves may facilitate the coral's reproduction through fragmentation. The size of M. platyphylla colonies can be highly variable, though they often have diameters ranging from 200 to 300 centimeters and heights up to 200 centimeters. The corals can exhibit a yellow-green color or a light-brown color, though their tips may be white. == Distribution ==

Millepora platyphylla has a wide geographic range, especially compared with those of other species like Millepora latifolia and Millepora tenera. It is commonly found in the Indo-Pacific, which encompasses the Red Sea and French Polynesia. Researchers have studied the species in Indonesia, Egypt, and Moorea, French Polynesia. However, researchers have confirmed that its range now extends back to that location. The species is found in the shallows of the reef crest, typically below 5 meters in depth, but they may also be found there at depths up to 10 meters. They can be found at the surf zone and spur and groove zone at depths up to 10 meters. They experience strong wave action around these depths. == Biology ==

Millepora platyphylla obtains energy from a combination of zooplankton predation and symbiosis with photosynthetic zooxanthellae. Reproduction occurs sexually or asexually. As a species that exhibits gonochorism, Millepora platyphylla releases medusoid reproductive buds, which in turn release gametes into the water for external fertilization. The resulting planula larvae calcify into a polyp after 1 day. Asexual reproduction occurs through the process of fragmentation. While adults are sessile, planula larvae have the ability to swim or crawl before settling on substrate and undergoing metamorphoses. Fragments of existing colonies can disperse in turbulent waters, colonizing nearby reef areas. ==References==