Herpolitha Limax

Herpolitha is a monotypic genus of mushroom corals in the family Fungiidae. The sole member of the genus is Herpolitha limax, commonly known as the tongue, slipper, mole, or striate boomerang coral. It is a free-living species and is indigenous to reefs and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region.

Herpolitha limax exhibits an elongated structure with rounded ends and a single, central, axial furrow that spans almost the entire length. The furrow contains numerous distinct slit-like mouths, while other less prominent mouths are irregularly spaced throughout the colony. The primary septa are densely toothed with fine spines and do not extend to the colony's edge. The costae are low and feature crowded, blunt teeth. Occasionally, the furrow may fork, forming a "Y," "T," or even an "X" shape. This coral can reach a length of 45 cm (18 in) or longer and typically displays various shades of gray, brown, or greenish-brown.

Herpolitha limax is native to the Indo-Pacific region, with its habitat ranging from East Africa and the 🌊 Red Sea to 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, Papua 🇵🇬 New Guinea, and the South Central Pacific. It can be found on reef slopes and in lagoons, often in close proximity to Fungia spp., at depths of around 30 meters (98 ft).

Herpolitha limax is a colonial, free-living, zooxanthellate coral species. It is susceptible to bleaching under stressful conditions, resulting in corals appearing white after expelling their symbionts. During a period of high water temperature in 🇹🇭 Thailand in June 2010, bleaching was widespread, affecting 52% of the corals of this species, along with many other types of mushroom corals. However, by the following February, they seemed to have recovered, with no signs of thermal-induced bleaching and a species composition similar to that prior to the bleaching event.

Herpolitha limax boasts a vast range and is a common species in suitable habitats. The population trend is uncertain, but this coral is harvested for the reef aquarium trade, with over 2,000 specimens collected in 2005. While corals face threats associated with climate change, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the conservation status of this species as "least concern."