On the 21st of April 2026, a group of travelers from the Netherlands visited the Lanka Mangrove Museum and Learning Center. The visitors were warmly welcomed and given the opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits, which showcase the ecological importance of mangrove ecosystems.
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Symphyllia sp. Brain corals or closed brain corals Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Scleractinia Family: Lobophylliidae Genus: Symphyllia Symphyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals known for its smooth, fleshy appearance and deep valley-like grooves on the colony surface. It is a massive reef-building coral commonly found in Indo-Pacific reef systems.
Hydnophora spp., commonly known as horn corals, belong to the family Merulinidae. They are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting reef slopes, lagoonal areas, and sheltered reef flats. Colonies are massive to sub-massive, sometimes forming irregular mounds, and are characterized by the presence of numerous conical or knob-like projections (tubercles) on the colony surface, giving the coral a rough and spiny appearance.
Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are a diverse group of sessile, aquatic invertebrates that are widely distributed in marine and freshwater environments. They are among the earliest-evolved multicellular animals, exhibiting a simple body organization without true tissues or organs. Sponges are characterized by a porous body with numerous ostia (small pores) that allow water to circulate through the body, facilitating filter feeding, respiration, and excretion.
Turbinaria spp., commonly known as scroll corals or screw corals, belong to the family Dendrophylliidae. They are widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, typically inhabiting reef slopes, lagoonal areas, and turbid coastal environments. Turbinaria is easily recognized by its unique colony morphology, which can be foliose (leaf-like), cup-shaped, or turreted, with broad, vertically or horizontally oriented plates that often resemble stacked discs or spirals.
Stylophora sp. is a genus of branching stony corals commonly found in tropical Indo-Pacific reefs. It is well known for its dense, bushy growth and ecological importance in coral reef systems.
Montastraea spp., commonly referred to as boulder or massive star corals, belong to the family Merulinidae. They are widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific reefs, typically inhabiting reef slopes, reef crests, and lagoonal environments. These corals are massive and slow-growing, forming large, dome-shaped, encrusting, or columnar colonies that contribute significantly to reef framework and structural complexity.
Porites spp., commonly known as finger corals, lobe corals, or massive corals, belong to the family Poritidae and are among the most widespread and ecologically important reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific. They inhabit a variety of reef habitats, including reef flats, slopes, lagoons, and patch reefs, often in areas with high sedimentation or fluctuating environmental conditions.
Porites spp., commonly known as finger corals, lobe corals, or massive corals, belong to the family Poritidae and are among the most widespread and ecologically important reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific. They inhabit a variety of reef habitats, including reef flats, slopes, lagoons, and patch reefs, often in areas with high sedimentation or fluctuating environmental conditions.
Fungia sp. Mushroom coral / plate coral Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Subclass: Hexacorallia Order: Scleractinia Family: Fungiidae Genus: Fungia Fungia sp., commonly known as mushroom coral or plate coral, is a solitary stony coral (unlike most corals, it lives as a single individual rather than a colony). General Description Fungia spp., commonly known as
