Leather Coral Sinularia gibberosa

Appearance

The surface of this leather coral has numerous peg- or finger-like projections, which take on a clump-like shape when contracted. the polyps are small and normally retracted during the day. their color is variable.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific

Behavior

The polyps live in symbiosis with zooxanthellae.

Habitat

They are found in shallow water, where they settle close to the surface and cover dead coral like mats. Many square meters of the substrate may be covered.

Uses

Cytotoxic compounds isolated from this coral are being studied for their effect against cancer cells.