Dipsastraea lizardensis

Dipsastraea lizardensis is a stony, reef-building coral in the family Merulinidae, characterized by a massive to sub-massive skeletal structure typical of its genus, formed by colonies of small polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to build the reef framework over time. Like other scleractinian corals, it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae algae within its tissues, which provide energy through photosynthesis while the coral offers shelter and nutrients in return. Colonies contribute to the physical structure of reef habitats, providing substrate and shelter for numerous marine invertebrates and fish.

This species occupies rocky substrates and marine neritic zones across a broad Indo-Pacific range, with recorded populations in Madagascar, Australia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, South Africa, Somalia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Hong Kong SAR China.

The species faces a combination of pressures common to reef-building corals in heavily used coastal waters. Fishing and harvesting activities, along with recreational use, cause direct physical damage to colonies. Land-based pollution from urban wastewater, agricultural runoff, and non-timber crop cultivation degrades water quality, while invasive species, coral diseases, and outbreaks of native predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish add further stress.

Habitat alteration and shifting environmental conditions compound these impacts.

Conservation efforts rely primarily on marine protected areas across parts of its range, regional reef monitoring programs, and international trade regulation under CITES. Enforcement and effectiveness vary considerably by country. Given the breadth and persistence of ongoing threats, particularly water quality degradation and habitat disturbance, the population trend remains decreasing, and the species' outlook remains concerning without substantial improvement in coastal management and water quality control across its range.