Lesser Star Coral (also known as Golfball Coral)
Phylum: Cnidaria, Class: Anthozoa, Order: Scleractinia, Family: Meandrinidae, Genus: Dichocoenia, Species: D. stokesii · Meandrinidae (Brain or Star Coral family) · Cnidarian Skeleton (Note: This is a calcium carbonate skeleton of a colonial coral, not a mollusk shell)
Species
Dichocoenia stokesii
Shell Type
Cnidarian Skeleton (Note: This is a calcium carbonate skeleton of a colonial coral, not a mollusk shell)
Family
Meandrinidae (Brain or Star Coral family)
Size
Approximately 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) in diameter. This specimen is a typical 'golfball' size; colonies can eventually grow larger, but spherical wash-ups are usually in this range.
Color & Pattern
Off-white to cream-colored calcareous skeleton. In life, the organism would be yellowish-brown or green. The pattern consists of raised, distinct corallites (the circular/oval cups) separated by a smooth intervening surface (coenosteum).
Rarity
Common (frequently found as beach-washed skeletons in Caribbean and South Florida regions).
Habitat
Marine; shallow subtidal to deep reefs (up to 70 meters). Prefers back-reef environments, seagrass beds, and rocky substrates where the colony can attach before potentially breaking free.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, including Florida, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and throughout the Caribbean Sea to Brazil.
Description
A hemispherical or spherical stony coral skeleton. The surface is characterized by prominent, protruding corallites that vary from circular to elongated/oval shapes. Each corallite features fine, radiating vertical plates (septa). The texture is rough and calcified, representing the structural housing of a former coral colony.
Key Features
Protruding, distinct corallites that are not joined in long 'valleys' like Brain Coral; septa are arranged in two alternating cycles of size; the colony shape is classically rounded or 'golfball' shaped.
Collector Value
Minimal monetary value (typically $5-$15), but high educational value. It is a popular 'curio' for beachcombers. Note: International trade of stony corals is regulated by CITES Appendix II.
Condition Notes
Good condition for a beach-wash. The skeleton is largely intact with clear septal structures visible, though there is minor erosion on the outer edges and slight discoloration from sand and sun exposure. Collectibility Grade: Good.
Interesting Facts
Unlike most corals that form massive reefs, this species often starts as a small sphere. It is susceptible to 'Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease' (SCTLD), making beach-found skeletons more common in recent years. The polyps are only active at night to feed on zooplankton.
Ecological Role
Primary reef builder that provides habitat for small invertebrates. In its live state, it shares a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae (algae) which provide the coral with nutrients through photosynthesis.
Similar Species
Favia fragum (Golfball Coral) - Favia has corallites that share walls or are more tightly packed, whereas Dichocoenia has more space between individual corallites.
Beach Finding Tips
Look in the 'wrack line' (debris line) after storm surges or high tides on Caribbean beaches. They are often found tangled in dried seagrass or mixed with rubble near rocky shorelines.