Verrilli's Cup Coral

Naming

Species
Parent
Rhizopsammia Verrill, 1870
Orig. name
Rhizopsammia verrilli van der Horst, 1922
Synonymised names
Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) scheeri Durham, 1962 (Synonymy)
Balanophyllia scheeri Durham, 1962 (Synonymy)
Rhizopsammia chamissoi Wells, 1954

Habitat

Reef-associated; depth range 2 - 278 m. Found in caves and under rock overhangs at depths between 6 to at least 45 m

Reproduction

Members of the class Anthozoa are either gonochoric or hermaphroditic. Mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth. Life cycle: The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral end.