[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Mushroom or Plate Coral
(Fungia spp.)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Unlike most corals that grow in colonies, Fungia consists of a single, large polyp.


	Throughout the tropical Indopacific, from Africa and the Red Sea to Polynesia

	Reef slopes and lagoons

	Sunlight via photosynthetic symbionts (zooxanthellae) and plankton captured using stinging cells.

	Fungia does not attach to the substrate, and is able to move freely through its surroundings. Unfortunately, this means that occasionally it is flipped upside down by large waves or other organisms. In moderate water flow, however, its special mushroom cap shape will catch the current and automatically flip it back.

	- What are Corals? - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

The name Fire Coral derives from this animal's powerful sting, which in humans causes pain and burning when touched.


	Fire corals of the genus Millepora are found on tropical reefs throughout the world.

	Exposed reefs and reef flats

	Sunlight via photosynthetic symbionts (zooxanthellae) and plankton captured using stinging cells.

	Fire corals belong in a group of animals called hydrozoans, and are actually more closely related to many kinds of jellyfish than they are to other corals. They possess more powerful stinging cells, called nematocysts, than other stony corals, which allows them to catch and kill small organisms living in the water column, providing additional nutrition beyond what they receive from symbiotic photosynthesizing bacteria (zooxanthellae) that live inside their tissue.

	- Shedd Aquarium - What are Corals? - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Top shells were introduced to French Polynesia in 1957 to be commercially harvested, and are now one of the islands' most common snails.


	Top snails are naturally found in the Indian and far western Pacific Oceans between Sri Lanka, the Ryukyu Islands, New Caledonia and northern Australia. They have been extensively introduced in the other parts of the south Pacific, including the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

	Exposed reefs and reef flats

	Algal turf

	The beautiful nacre (often called 'mother of pearl') lining the inside of the sturdy top shell is harvested to make buttons and jewelry. Much of the harvest is now exported, although top shell is increasingly important in the fabrication of Tahitian jewelry.

	Coming Soon - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma


	Conchs in the genus Lambis are found on tropical reefs worldwide. L. truncata has been reported from the Red Sea, Mauritius, India, Australia, the Philippines, Kiribati and French Polynesia.

	Reef flats and sand patches

	Algae and detritus

	Males and females can be distinguished by the shape of their shells. Females are generally much larger, and have longer spines. Spider conchs move using a large, spiked foot.

	Coming Soon - Moorea Biocode Database