Lamarck, 1801
F. (F.) fungites (1)
Type species: Fungia (Fungia) fungites (Linnaeus, 1758)
Total number of species estimated: 1
Characteristics: Corals zooxanthellate, monostomatous (with one mouth), free-living, slightly oval or round. Maximum diameter 25 cm. Septal teeth sharp, each with a vertical ridge. Corallum wall perforate. Costal spines with sharp granulations at their tips. Colour brown (zooxanthellae), occasionally with additional purple or green pigmentation.
Ecology: Common on reef flats and slopes. Occasionally inhabited by wentletraps (Epitonium sp.) at under side or by boring coralliophyllid gastropod (Leptoconchus sp.) with siphons protruding from oral surface.
Range: Indo-West Pacific.
Additional remarks: Popular name: mushroom coral. Fungia specimens are often sold in the curio and aquarium trade.
Key references: Hoeksema, 1989.