Alveopora japonica Coral Planula

This is a polyp of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. The orange spheres are planulae, or larval corals. Individual planula migrate from the coral stalk to the mouth, where the planula emerges and swims into the water. The species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.

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Filename: alveopora-japonica-coral-planula-japan-202208-0217.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 8256x5504 / 130.1MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Hard Coral: Animalia Cnidaria Anthozoa Scleractinia Acroporidae Alveopora japonica Nihon-awasango Reproduction Spawning Planula Pacific Japan Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contained in galleries: Marine Life Reproduction, Marine Life | Japan

This is a polyp of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. The orange spheres are planulae, or larval corals. Individual planula migrate from the coral stalk to the mouth, where the planula emerges and swims into the water. The species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.