Scolymia

Unlike most other Scleractinia, Scolymia are solitary corals. Polyps can grow up to 10 cm in diameter. Morphology is diverse with both interspecific and intraspecific variation in shape. Polyps may be concave, convex, or flat depending on the species and environmental conditions. Species are generally distinguished based on differences in septa number, thickness, and orientation. The slow growth rate of these corals is not well understood, but researchers have proposed that cyanobacterial mats may inhibit their growth or even cause shrinkage. == Ecology ==

Energy Scolymia harness their energy mainly through a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellate, a group of photosynthetic dinoflagellates. To a lesser degree, these corals can also feed heterotrophically using their tentacles to catch plankton drifting through the water at night. Scolymia anchor in soft substrates where sediment continuously accumulates. They have adapted sediment-shifting abilities by growing upward on nearly-vertical surfaces in addition to a mucus exterior that prevents sedimentation from above. and Scolymia lacera is Critically Endangered, and Scolymia wellsii is Vulnerable. While there are no specific known threats to Scolymia, corals in general are sensitive to rising temperatures brought on by climate change, resulting in coral bleaching. It is possible that Scolymia, relatively deep habitat preference helps protect it from temperature-related damage. == Behavior ==

Interspecific competition Some scoly corals are known to exhibit interspecific aggression by attacking both congeneric species and other corals, causing them to expel their zooxanthellates. Generally, S. lacera defeats and kills S. cubensis. Reproduction Scolymia reproduce sexually through broadcast spawning. Because of their lack of immune-recognition, it is possible for gametes from the same individual to fertilize each other, resulting in less genetic diversity. Fertilized planktonic larvae drift through the current before settling on a reef bed. Intraspecific fusion When two or more Scolymia cubensis larvae settle near one another, they usually fuse together to form one complex coral with distinct genotypes. == Taxonomy ==

Species Source: The World Register of Marine Species includes the following species in the genus: • "Artichoke coral" Scolymia cubensis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848) • "Atlantic mushroom coral" Scolymia lacera (Pallas, 1766) • "Solitary disk coral" Scolymia wellsii (Laborel, 1967) Other species were previously classified under Scolymia but have since been reclassified to distinct genera: • Cynarina lacrymalis - Basionym: Scolymia lacrymalis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848) • Homophyllia australis - Basionym: Scolymia australis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848) • Lobophyllia vitiensis - Basionym: Scolymia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877) ==References==