Wellington’s solitary coral  (Rhizopsammia wellingtoni)

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • El Niño: a natural phenomenon that happens every 4 to 12 years, and lasts for several months, when upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water does not occur. This causes the warming of ocean surface water off the western coast of South America and causes die-offs of plankton and fish. It also affects Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns in various parts of the world.
  • Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
  • Polyps: typically sedentary soft-bodied components of cnidaria, a group of simple aquatic animals including the sea anemones, corals and jellyfish. A polyp comprises a trunk that is fixed at the base, and a mouth that is placed at the opposite end of the trunk and is surrounded by tentacles.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (September, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. CITES (July, 2008)
    http://www.cites.org
  3. IUCN-SSC (July, 2008)
    http://cms.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list/species_case_studies/case_studies_meso_south_america/index.cfm
  4. Glynn, P.W. and Wellington, G.M. (1983) Corals and Coral Reefs of the Galapagos Islands.University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California.
left