The Fungiidae (/fəŋˈɡiːɪdi/) are a family of
Cnidaria, commonly known as mushroom corals or plate corals. The family contains thirteen
extantgenera. They range from solitary corals to
colonial species. Some genera such as Cycloseris and Fungia are solitary organisms, Polyphyllia consists of a single organism with multiple mouths, and Ctenactis and Herpolitha might be considered as solitary organisms with multiple mouths or a colony of individuals, each with its separate mouth.[2]
Characteristics
Species are generally
solitarymarine animals capable of
benthiclocomotion.[3][4] These corals often appear to be bleached or dead.[5] In most genera, a single
polyp emerges from the center of the
skeleton to feed at night. Most species remain fully detached from the
substrate in adulthood. Some are immobile as well as colonial.[6][7]
Ecology
Some species of mushroom coral such as Fungia repanda and Ctenactis echinata are able to
change sex. This is posited to take place in response to environmental or energetic constraints, and to improve the organism's evolutionary fitness; similar phenomena are observed in some
dioecious plants.[8]
One fungiid
species, Heliofungia actiniformis ("anemone coral"), can be easily mistaken for a
sea anemone [actiniarian] because its
tentacles remain visible during the day.[6]