Merulina is a genus of stony corals in the family Merulinidae. Members of this genus are native to the Indo-Pacific region and their ranges extend from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean as far as Japan and the southern central Pacific Ocean. Merulina ampliata is the type species.
Characteristics Colonies can be laminar, foliose, columnar or arborescent, and can adopt all of these forms in a single colony. On laminar plates, valleys radiate from the centre, becoming contorted on branching structures.
Species The following species are currently recognized by the World Register of Marine Species :
Merulina ampliata (Ellis & Solander, 1786) †Merulina isseli (Prever, 1922) Merulina rotunda Nemenzo, 1959 Merulina scabricula Dana, 1846 Merulina scheeri Head, 1983 Merulina triangularis (Veron & Pichon, 1980)
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