Sunset Cup Coral

Leptopsammia pruvoti

Sunset Cup Coral, known scientifically as Leptopsammia pruvoti, is a solitary stony coral found primarily in the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Portugal, Brittany, and southwestern England. It features a calcareous skeleton that can reach up to 60 mm in height and 20 mm in diameter. Its polyp is yellow or orange with approximately ninety-six long, translucent tentacles, making it resemble a sea anemone. It can be confused with Balanophyllia regia, but the latter is smaller and has fewer tentacles. Leptopsammia pruvoti thrives in environments independent of sunlight, such as under boulders, in crevices, and within caves, typically at depths between 10 and 40 meters. It is more abundant in darker areas compared to its relative, Astroides calycularis, which prefers well-lit locations. The coral often hosts the parasitic barnacle Megatrema anglicum, which integrates into its structure without causing harm. The breeding strategy of Sunset Cup Coral involves high fecundity and rapid maturation, with a generation time of about 2.3 years and a maximum lifespan of 13 years.