Biology
provided by World Register of Marine Species
zooxanthellate
van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
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Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Colonies are small and bushy, usually >40 cm across, very rarely with a tendency to develop small plates or brackets. Branches are straight, up to 1 cm thick, and branch frequently. The species is distinctive because the branches have wide radial corallites with thick, flared lips. This is very conspicuous underwater, more so than with the cleaned skeleton. The septa in the radial corallites are also large and clearly visible underwater. Towards the base of the branches, the corallites become more immersed, but retain their open, gaping appearance. Living colonies are pale cream. The species prefers sheltered areas which are well illuminated, between 5 and 25 m deep (Sheppard, 1998).
Sheppard CRC. (1987). Coral species of the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas: a synonymised compilation and some regional distribution patterns. Atoll Research Bulletin. 307: 1-32.
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