Page 31 - Caribbean Reef Life Demo
P. 31
Lettuce Corals are some of the most abundant in the Caribbean and they can be found in the widest variety of reef habitats, from close to the surface to well below safe diving depths. They are fast-growing and unusually resistant to the stresses that put other corals at risk. They often cover wide expanses of the reef, especially in the shallows where they receive more sunlight. arieties of lettuce coral were once thought to be distinct species but now most are simply classi ed as Agaricia agaricites. They will be represented here according to their appearance on the reef.
THIN LEAF LETTUCE CORAL (Agaricia tenufolia) < 3.5 m / 12 ft
hin ertical lates of lettuce coral ith ol s ro in on both sides. Commonly forms into rounded domes.
LETTUCE CORAL
(Agaricia agaricites) < 90 cm / 3 ft
ound in a ariet of forms and ha itats. olors ran e from tan to ello . orallites often ha e reen centers.
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