Primer registro de Psammocora cf. stellata (Scleractinia: Psammocoridae)en el Santuario de Fauna y Flora Malpelo, Pacífico colombiano

Researchers document the first record of the coral genus Psammocora in the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off Colombia's Pacific coast. The discovery, identified as Psammocora cf. stellata, was made during a scientific dive at 22 meters depth near 'Cueva del Francés' on July 5, 2025. The identification relied on morphological features—nodular colony growth and distinct star-shaped corallites—observed in photographs, aligning closely with Psammocora stellata but lacking physical samples for confirmation. This finding expands the known coral diversity of Malpelo, contributing to the inventory of scleractinian corals in the Colombian Pacific. The study highlights the sanctuary's ecological significance and underscores the importance of visual documentation in marine biodiversity research.

Acosta Chaparro, A. F., & Navas Camacho, R. (2026). First record of Psammocora cf. stellata (Scleractinia: Psammocoridae). Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas Y Costeras, 55(2), 206–211. https://doi.org/10.25268/bimc.invemar.2026.55.2.1428