Mycetophyllia

Mycetophyllia is a genus of stony corals in the family Mussidae. The genera are native to the Caribbean Sea and sometimes kept in reef aquariums. Like all corals in the family Mussidae, Mycetophyllia are hermatypic, or reef-building corals. They receive nutrients from their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which are single-celled photosynthetic dinoflagellates. They are passive suspension feeders that feed on organic matter suspended in the water column.

==Morphology== These coral colonies have flat disc-like or dome structures with scalloped edges. They also have corallites which cover the surface radially towards the center. Depending on the species, they may have a pattern of valleys and ridges on their surface. They are often brown, green, or grey in color and are identified by their thin plates and irregular ridge pattern. There are five known species within Mycetophyllia each with unique morphological features. Mycetophyllia aliciae is characterized by a thin, scalloped plate. M. aliciae does not have defined valleys and ridges like other species. This species reaches a maximum diameter of 1 meter. Mycetophyllia danaana is the smallest species of the genera with a diameter of 30 centimeters. M. danaana colonies have thick plates with deep narrow ridges. M. ferox has thin plates with distinctive ridges and valleys across the surface. The maximum diameter is 1 meter. M. lamarckiana forms small, round mounds rather than a plate. Valleys stretch across the surface and the species is usually light brown or grey in color. M. reesi has the thinnest plate of the all Mycetophyllia species with no ridges and a smooth surface.