Coral Reef Stamps

On January 2, 2004 the U.S. Postal Service unveiled another in its series of "Nature in America" stamps: Pacific Coral Reef. The sets are designed to help us understand -- and appreciate -- ecosystems like the Sonoran Desert, Great Plains Prairie and Arctic Tundra, all of which have been featured on previous stamp sets. Artist John D. Dawson's colorful portrait of life in the reef looks like something straight out of the world of Finding Nemo. It's a great way to let everyone know how beautiful and important our coral reefs are!

WHO'S WHO?

The following 27 species (kinds) of reef life are identified on the back of the new Pacific Coral Reef stamp sheet:

1. Blue Coral (Heliopora coerulea) 
2. Mound Coral (Porites sp.) 
3. Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) 
4. Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum) 
5. Magnificent Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica) 
6. Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) 
7. Reef Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) 
8. Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) 
9. Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) 
10. Black-spotted Puffer (Arothron nigropunctatus)
11. Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp.) 
12. Snowflake Moray Eel (Echidna nebulosa) 
13. Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus) 
14. Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) 
15. Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
16. Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) 
17. Triton's Trumpet (Charonia tritonis) 
18. Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
19. Crown-of-thorns Sea Star (Acanthaster planci) 
20. Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) 
21. Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) 
22. Prickly Red Sea Cucumber (Thelenota ananas)
23. Orangeband Surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus) 
24. Oriental Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus vittatus) 
25. Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) 
26. Mushroom Coral (Fungia sp.) 
27. Wedge Picassofish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)

Stamp design copyright 2003 U.S. Postal Service. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved.