Complete 2014-2018 Taiwan Corals Stamps (I-IV) Stamps. Formosa(Taiwan), Rep of China.
The designs follow:
1st set,
1. Dendronephthya gigantea (NT$3.5): Colonies of this soft coral, which often have a branched growth form, are covered with bunches of red polyps. The coral polyps expand only at night or when the water flow is high. The colony deflates into a ball when the polyps retract. This coral is widely spread through Taiwan’s coastal waters in areas that are exposed to strong currents, usually at depths of greater than 15 meters.
2. Pavona cactus (NT$5): Colonies of this stony coral, which are shaped like the flower heads of hydrangea, are made up of thin and contorted upright fronds with thickened bases. There are rows of small shallow corallites parallel to the margins on both sides of the fronds. The coloration of this coral ranges from light brown to greenish brown. It is found in shallow areas where the water is murkier, and in particular on upper reef slopes in northern and northeast Taiwan.
3. Acropora granulosa (NT$10): Colonies of this stony coral are composed of stubby branches which connect or fuse at the base to form plates. There is a large protruding axial corallite on the tip of each branch. The radial corallites are smaller and tubular in shape. Living colonies are bright pink or reddish brown. The coral can be found on upper reef slopes and reef flats in shallow waters. It is often sighted in the Dongsha Atoll.
4. Melithaea ochracea (NT$15): Colonies of this gorgonian coral are arborescent and have branching structures shaped like fans. The nodes of the main branch and branchlets are conspicuously enlarged. The tiny white or translucent polyps are distributed on the sides and front of the branches. The colonies of this coral are orange red with a lighter colored main skeleton. The bases of the polyps are yellow. The coral inhabits the higher parts of reef fronts in areas with stronger water flow. It can be found in reefs throughout Taiwan’s waters.
2nd set(2015),
1. Montipora foliosa (NT＄3.5): This stony coral grows in colonies shaped like thin leaves. These “leaves” often lay on top of each other or are arranged in a spiral shape to form a large colony. The coloration of this coral ranges from yellowish brown to greenish brown. They can be found in reefs throughout Taiwan's waters.
2. Sarcophyton ehrenbergi (NT＄5): Colonies of this soft coral resemble mushrooms. The tops look like a cup with a groove in the middle. Their edges are thin with folds. The coloration of this coral ranges from light blue to grayish blue. They can be found in the waters of southern Taiwan, south of the Tropic of Cancer.
3. Ellisella robusta (NT＄10): Colonies of this gorgonian coral are bush-like with sparse branches. The coloration of this coral is red or orange yellow. The polyps are white. They can be found in reefs throughout Taiwan's waters.
4. Stylaster gracilis (NT＄15): Colonies of this lace coral are arborescent and often in fan shape. The coloration of this coral is bright pink or white. They can be found in reefs throughout Taiwan's waters.
3rd set(2016),
1. Euphyllia ancora (NT＄3.5): This dome-shaped stony coral has the common English name of hammer coral. Its body surface is densely covered with tentacles, which have kidney- or crescent-shaped tips that are extended both day and night. Living colonies demonstrate great variation in color and are most often dark green, dark olive or slate blue. The tips of its tentacles are most commonly beige or green. This species of coral is widely distributed throughout coral reefs in Taiwan's waters.
2. Fungia (Pleuractis) taiwanensis (NT＄5): This species of coral is irregularly oval or elongated and can reach a length of 30 centimeters. A large central fossa is surrounded by many smaller mouths. Living specimens are brown, with small tentacles that are white or transparent. Endemic to Taiwan, it is a “free-living species of coral,” meaning it is not attached to any substrate. It is found in the coral reefs of Kenting and Little Liuqiu.
3. Scleronephthya gracillimum (NT＄10): This species of soft coral demonstrates a great range of extension. When fully extended, it is bush-like in shape, with numerous small branches and a height of rarely more than 10 centimeters. When retracted, it becomes a clump of cone-shaped fleshy tissue. The coral body is extremely colorful, most often orange but sometimes golden yellow, pink or green. The species can be found in all the coral reefs surrounding Taiwan.
4. Anella mollis (NT＄15): A sea fan (gorgonian), Anella mollis branches in a fan-like shape with a dichotomous branching pattern. Living specimens are orange or yellowish gray. Sea lilies, brittle stars or bivalves can often be found living among colonies of this coral. One can find Anella mollis in all coral reefs in Taiwan's waters.
4th set(2018),
1. Leptoseris yabei (NT$6): Colonies of this stony coral feature vertical or horizontal plates. In large colonies, the plates are often layered in whorls. Their surfaces are covered with radiating ridges and wrinkles. Living specimens are yellow, light brown or beige. They can be found throughout coral reefs in Taiwan’s waters.
2. Clavularia viridis (NT$6): Colonies of this soft coral are made up of several large independent polyps, connected by stolons or thin tissues. Each polyp has eight tentacles with long and dense feathery margins. Living specimens are green or yellowish brown with red basal stolons. They can be found throughout coral reefs in Taiwan’s waters.
3. Lobophytum crassum (NT$15): Colonies of this soft coral have thick fleshy tissues, with radiating ridges on their surfaces. Living specimens are yellowish brown, pale yellow, pale green or green. They are mainly found in coral reefs in the waters of southern Taiwan.
4. Melithaea formosa (NT$15): Colonies of this soft coral are flat, giving them the appearance of small fans. Living specimens are usually bright red, with white or transparent polyps densely covering the sides and fronts of the branches. They are mainly found in coral reefs in the waters of northern and northeastern Taiwan.
The photo is only an example.
Mint & never hinged(mnh).
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