Lophelia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hexacorallia |
Order: | Scleractinia |
Family: | Caryophylliidae |
Genus: | Lophelia Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1849 |
Species: | L. pertusa
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Binomial name | |
Lophelia pertusa | |
Known range (NOAA) | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Lophelia pertusa, the only species in the genus Lophelia,[2][3] is a cold-water coral that grows in the deep waters throughout the North Atlantic ocean, as well as parts of the Caribbean Sea and Alboran Sea.[4] Although L. pertusa reefs are home to a diverse community, the species is extremely slow growing and may be harmed by destructive fishing practices, or oil exploration and extraction.[5]