Mussidae

Mussidae
Mussa angulosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Suborder: Faviina
Family: Mussidae
Ortmann, 1890[1]
Synonyms
  • Faviidae Gregory, 1900
Close up of Diploria labyrinthiformis, Vieques, Puerto Rico

Mussidae is a family of stony coral in the order Scleractinia. Following a taxonomic revision in 2012, the family is now restricted to species found in the Atlantic Ocean, with Pacific species transferred to the new family Lobophylliidae. Many species are referred to as brain coral because their generally spheroid form and grooved surface resembles the convolutions of a brain.

Members of this family are found in the reef aquarium trade. Though popular in captivity, they are under threat from environmental destruction like coral bleaching. The Mussidae is one of the coral families most vulnerable to climate change.[2]

  1. ^ "Mussidae Ortmann, 1890". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  2. ^ Foden, Wendy B.; Butchart, Stuart H. M.; Stuart, Simon N.; Vié, Jean-Christophe; Akçakaya, H. Resit; Angulo, Ariadne; DeVantier, Lyndon M; Gutsche, Alexander; Turak, Emre; Cao, Long; Donner, Simon D.; Katariya, Vineet; Bernard, Rodolphe; Holland, Robert A.; Hughes, Adrian F.; O’Hanlon, Susannah E.; Garnett, Stephen T.; Şekercioğlu, Çagan H.; Mace, Georgina M. (2013). "Identifying the World's Most Climate Change Vulnerable Species: A Systematic Trait-Based Assessment of all Birds, Amphibians and Corals". PLOS ONE. 8 (6): e65427. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...865427F. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065427. PMC 3680427. PMID 23950785.