Pseudodiploria strigosa, scleractinian coral

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Human: Animalia (Kingdom) - Cnidaria (Phylum) - Anthozoa (Class) - Hexacorallia (Subclass) - Scleractinia (Order) Meandrinidae (Family) - Pseudodiploria (Genus) - Pseudodiploria strigosa (Species) Pseudodiploria strigosa (Dana, 1848): recently reclassified from the Diploria genus. Forms massive or encrusting colonies with sinuous valleys that are 6-9 mm wide and feature an even surface. The colonies have well-developed and interlinked columellae. They display a range of colors including purple-brown, grey, and greenish hues, often accompanied by green or grey valley floors. This species is commonly found in various reef environments throughout the Caribbean, particularly on shallow slopes and in lagoons. This specimen was collected as part of a monitoring protocol within the CCRRP restoration area during my master's thesis research on Cozumel Island in 2018, under collaboration with the Global Coral Reef Alliance. The photographs were taken using a Sony RX100V camera inside an underwater housing without any artificial light source.