Pachyseris inattesa is a new Red Sea stony coral
By
Leonard Ho
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Posted
Aug 15, 2014 09:00 AM
Pachyseris inattesa is the newest described species of 'elephant skin' coral. This new species has a smoother appearance than its congeners aquarists sometimes encounter. The best we can describe P.inattesa is a cross between Montipora verrucosa and Leptoseris sp. corals. (It's a good thing we have pictures!)
The species is observed in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Specimens documented for study showed a significant range of morphological differences based on their size and where they were observed/collected (differences in light levels and currents). As reefkeepers know, corals can take on radically different appearances based on environmental conditions.
The findings were published this week in ZooKeys.