Gyrosmilia

Gyrosmilia is a monotypic genus of large polyp stony coral. It is represented by a single speceies, Gyrosmilia interrupta .[2] It was first described by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1834 as Manicina interruptai.[2]

Gyrosmilia

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Euphylliidae
Genus: Gyrosmilia
Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1851
Species:
G. interrupta
Binomial name
Gyrosmilia interrupta
(Ehrenberg, 1834)

Description

It is known to have a "distinctive uniform greenish grey-brown" color.[2] Colonies are either submassive humps or laminar in shape with free margins up to 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) wide.[2] Gyrosmilia interrupts has tentacles that extend only at night.[2]

Distribution & habitat

It can be found in scattered pockets throughout eastern African islands and coastline such as Madagascar, Eritrea, the Aldabran atoll, Réunion, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa, and parts of the Red Sea in uncommon abundance.[2]

It prefers shallow coral reefs that are protected from strong surface wave action.[3]

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References
  1. Turak, E., Sheppard, C. & Wood, E. 2008. Gyrosmilia interrupta . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.1.
  2. "Gyrosmilia interrupta (Ehrenberg, 1834)". 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. Australian Institute of Marine Science. "Gyrosmilia interrupta". Corals of the World. Retrieved 23 July 2016.


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