Ross Coral

Appearance

Pentapora fascialis grows initially as an encrusting sheet, which seems able to regenerate erect growths. Colony size is typically up to 20 cm in diameter and large specimens reach 40 cm across.
Colony shape has been described as 'depressed globular' or 'dome-like' with an elliptical perimeter. Vertical growth has been recorded at up to 3.5 cm per year. The calcified laminae are rather brittle.
Pentapora fascialis colonies have a hemispherical shape. Their undulating branched shape evokes plants and even certain lamellar mushrooms. Orange in color, accentuated along the ridges, they can reach a meter in diameter. Of a rigid and brittle consistency, the colony's calcareous exokeleton is made up of numerous cells, each housing an individual called a polypid. Polypids are very small and barely visible to the diver. When they are all out of their cubicle, the colony has a fluffy appearance close to velvet. The colonies of Pentapora fascialis have a rather shrubby habit with flattened and branched blades, in the shape of deer horns. The color of the colony is orange but can sometimes tend towards red.

Naming

Pentapora: from the Greek [penta] = five, and from the Latin [por-] = pore, hole, orifice,
fascialis: from Latin [fascia] = strip, bandage, ribbon or from Latin [fascis] = beam, bundle, bundle

Distribution

Pentapora fascialis is distributed along the Mediterranean coasts. The observations made in the Atlantic, English Channel and North Sea are to be attributed to the species Pentapora foliacea.

Habitat

This species is found on coarse rocky bottoms and at the foot of Posidonia in areas swept by currents.

Reproduction

Pentapora fascialis uses both modes of reproduction, asexual and sexual.
In the first case, the colony can bud step by step and therefore increase in size. This budding can be followed by the dissemination of new individuals (hibernacula) by the currents. They settle further and develop new colonies.
In the second case, there is formation of gametes and fertilization. Pentapora fascialis is hermaphrodite protandrous (first male then female). Fertilization takes place within the cystid and the egg is incubated there. P. fascialis is viviparous. Then the larva is expelled and settles further to form a new colony.

Food

Pentapora fascialis is a microphage filter feeder. Food particles are retained by the mucus covering the tentacles of the lophophore. This mucus is then directed towards the mouth by means of a fine ciliature. Mouth in the center of the lophophore, U-shaped digestive tract, anus opening at the base and outside the sprawling plume, hence the name of the group: ecto (outside) procta (anus) in opposition to the group Entoproctes (or Kamptozoa) whose anus opens near the mouth, within the tentacular crown.