pocilloporids

Pocilloporids are a family of stony corals, belonging to the order Scleractinia. This family is characterized by its arborescent or encrusting growth forms, with colonies often branching into finger-like projections. The corallites, which are the individual skeletal cups housing the polyps, are typically small and crowded. Pocilloporid corals are found throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans of the world, with a particularly high diversity in the Indo-Pacific region.

These corals are vital components of coral reef ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a wide array of marine organisms. They are broadcast spawners, releasing gametes into the water column during synchronized spawning events. The larvae are planktonic for a period before settling on suitable substrates to begin new colonies. Pocilloporids host symbiotic dinoflagellates, known as zooxanthellae, within their tissues. These algae provide the coral with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, while the coral offers the algae protection and access to sunlight. This symbiosis is crucial for the survival and growth of most reef-building corals, including pocilloporids.

The family Pocilloporidae includes several well-known genera such as Pocillopora, Stylophora, and Seriatopora. These genera are distinguished by subtle differences in skeletal morphology and growth patterns. Like many other coral species, pocilloporids are susceptible to environmental stressors such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and pollution, which can lead to coral bleaching and disease, threatening their populations and the health of the reefs they inhabit.