Scleractinian Coral Taxonomy

Transcription

Coral lecture (@ PLUS SS 2014)
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Scleractinian Coral Taxonomy
Pierre MADL
in cooperation with
Robert SCHABETSBERGER & Cetka LIPOVNIK
Web-References: http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/about.jsp or http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/search.jsp
http://biophysics.sbg.ac.at/coral/family.htm or http://biophysics.sbg.ac.at/reefs/reefs.htm
http://eol.org/
http://macinivnw.deviantart.com/art/Coral-Reef-and-Tropical-Fish-in-Sunlight-377307367
http://biophysics.sbg.ac.at/talk/coral-lecture.pdf
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Position of Scleractinia within the phylum Cnidaria
Mather & Benett (1994)
Global diversity of Scleractinian Coral Species
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Coral Colony Morphology found on modern reefs
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Corallite Arrangement
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Key features of Corallite Morphology
Left:
extratentacular budding
Patterns of asexual reproduction
among stony corals used for
taxonomic indentification
(e.g. Faviidae)
Right:
Intratentacular budding
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Selected extant skeletal specimens from the Class Anthozoa – Order Scleractinia & few from the Class Octocorallia
Family Acroporidae: (Gk. akron, extremity, summit; L. porous,
pore)....relating to the presence of a corallite at the tip of each branch.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Anacropora (Gk. an-, without; akron, extremity; L. porus,
pore),
Astreopora (Gk. aster, star; L. porus, pore)
Circum-tropical genera:------------------------Montipora (L. mons, mountain; porus, pore),
Acropora (Gk. akron, extremity; L. porus, pore)
Key to the family Acroporidae
No axial corallite
Corallites <2mm in diameter, columella absent
Branches without basal structures: Genus
Anacropora
Branches with basal structures: Genus
Montipora
Corallites obvious (>2mm), columella present: Genus
Astreopora
Axial corallites on branch ends: Genus Acropora
Montipora sp. oder M.corbettensis
Growth form: leafy, encrusting, semi-massive, rarely branched; Corallite wall: no projections; Corallite arrangement: randomly distributed,
sometimes crowded; Coenosteum: porous with prominent tubercles; Verrucae: none; Septa: rudimentary, if visible in 2 cycles; Skeleton:
perforate, spongy; Columella: absent
http://coral.aims.gov.au/factsheet.jsp?speciesCode=0249
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Acropora valida
Growth form: branching (caespitose, bottlebrush, aborescent), encrusting or sub-massive; Corallite: bimodal (dominant axial & secondary radial);
0.5-4 mm in diameter (dominant apical corallites), rarely superficial, generally exsert by 2-5 mm, porous walls; Corallite arrangement: well
spaced, about 1-5 mm in range; Coenosteum: porous; Verrucae: none; Septa: often poorly developed but usually 12 or less; septal margins smooth
or granular, occasionally with irregular small teeth; Skeleton: porous; Columella: absent s/t very minute)
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Acropora palmata
Growth form: branching, aborescent, bifacial; Corallite: 1-3 mm diameter, porous with distinct wall; Corallite arrangement: randomly scattered;
Coenosteum: porous; Verrucae: none; Septa: rudimentary
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Family Astrocoeniidae: (Gk. aster, star; koinos, shared)…. most likely
relating to the shared walls of each calice.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Stylocoeniella (Gk. stylos, pillar; koinos, shared; L. –ellus,
diminuitive suffix) ,
Palauastrea (Island of Palau, location first found; Gk. aster, star)
Circum-tropic genus:----------------------------Madracis (madre, mother; Gk. akis, point)
Atlantic genus:------------------------------------Stephanocoenia (Gk. stephos, crown; koinos, shared)
Key to the family Astrocoeniidae
Colonies encrusting, corallites inconspicuous
Coenosteum style present: Genus Stylocoeniella
No coenosteum style: Genus Stephanocoenia
Colonies becoming branching, corallites conspicuous
Septa with free margins: Genus Palauastrea
Septa fused with columella: Genus Madracis
Stylocoeniella sp. possibly S.guentheri
Growth form: small encrusting or knobby; Corallite: immersed, circular & 1 mm in diameter; Corallite arrangement: well spaced;
Coenosteum: rough, covered with small intercorallite pillars protrudes b/w calices; Septa: 6x2 septa, their margins beaded, septocostae
absent; Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: small & styliform
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Family Pocilloporidae: (L. pocillum, cup, bowl; L. porous, pore)….
Presumably relating to the appearance of the callices, which look like
tiny, little shallow cups.
Indo-Pacific genera only:----------------------Pocillopora (L. pocillum, cup or bowl; porus, pore),
Seriatopora (L. seriatus, arranged in series; porus, pore),
Stylophora (Gk. stylus, pillar; Gk. phero, to bear)
Key to the family Pocilloporidae
Colonies have verrucae: Genus Pocillopora
Colonies do not have verrucae
Branches fine (<10mm diameter): Genus Seriatopora
Branches robust (>10mm diameter): Genus Stylophora
Pocillopora damicornis
Growth form: sturdy branched colony w/ fine & irregular tips; Corallite wall: no projections; Corallite arrangement: immersed, crowded &
hollow; Coenosteum: granulous; Verrucae: present, s/t very dominant & branch-like; Septa: if present then 12 poorly developed; Skeleton:
imperforate; Columella: tiny & styliform
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Pocillopora sp.
Growth form: sub-massive to branched colony w/ stout tips; Corallite wall: no projections; Calice arrangement: crowded & hollow;
Coenosteum: granulous; Verrucae: present, s/t very dominant & branch-like; Septa: if then 12 poorly developed; Skeleton: imperforate;
Columella: tiny & styliform
Seriatopora hystrix
Growth form: slender, up to 150 mm long anastomosing (fusing) branches, few mm thick; Corallite wall: rare, w/ small hoods; Corallite
arrangement: in rows & well spaced; Coenosteum: w/ small tubercules; Verrucae: none; Septa: if , 1x6 poorly developed; Skeleton: n.a.;
Columella: well-expressed & platelike
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Seriatopora sp.
Growth form: slender branches, few mm thick; Corallite wall: rare, w/ small hoods; Corallite arrangement: in rows & well spaced;
Coenosteum: w/ small tubercules; Verrucae: none; Septa: if, 1x6 poorly developed; Skeleton: n.a.; Columella: well-expressed & platelike
Stylophora sp. possibly S.danae
Growth form: sub-massive to knobby w/ sturdy, s/t anastomosing branches; Corallite wall: arched w/ hoods on distal part of branch; Corallite
arrangement: immersed on proximal part of branch, plocoid to loosely distributed; Coenosteum: dotted w/ spiculi; Verrucae: none; Septa:
typically 12 with only 6 well developed; Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: styliform
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Stylophora sp. possibly S.subseriata
Growth form: sturdy, s/t anastomosing branches about 5 mm thick; Corallite wall: crowned w/ spiculi, some quote dominant as stylus;
Corallite arrangement: plocoid; Coenosteum: dotted w/ spiculi; Verrucae: none; Septa: typically 24 dominat primary cycle; Skeleton:
imperforate; Columella: distinct & styliform
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Family Euphyllidae: (Gk. eu-, true; Gk. phyllon, leaf)…. possibly
relating to the prominent leafy septa.
Indo-Pacific genera only:---------------------Euphyllia (Gk. ei-, true; phyllon, leaf),
Catalaphyllia (named after R. Catala; Gk. phyllon, leaf),
Nemenzophyllia (?; Gk phyllon, leaf),
Plerogyra (Gk. pleres, full; gyrus, circle),
Physogyra (Gk. physa, air bubble; gyrus, circle)
Key to the family Euphyllidae
Colonies do not have vesicles extended during daytime
Colonies have V-shaped valleys: Genus Catalaphyllia
Colonies do not have V-shaped valleys
Colonies have tentacles: Genus Euphyllia
Colonies have mantles: Genus Nemenzophyllia
Colonies have vesicles or mantles extended during daytime
Colonies not massive: Genus Plerogyra
Colonies massive: Genus Plysogyra
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Family Oculinidae: (L. oculus, eye; L. –ina, like) …. presumably
relating to the eye-like appearance of the calices.
Altlantic genera:----------------------------------Oculina (L. oculus, eye; -ina, suffix denoting likeness)
Schizoculina (Gk. schizos, split; L. oculus, eye)
Indo-Pacific genera:
Simplastrea (L. epten, simple; Gk. aster, star),
Schizoculina (Gk. schizos, split; L. oculus, eye),
Galaxea (Gk. galaxaios, milky)
Key to the family Oculinidae
Septa <2mm exsert
Colony branching
Budding intratentacular: Genus Oculina
Budding extratentacular: Genus Schizoculina
Colony not branching: Genus Simplastrea
Septa >2mm exsert: Genus Galaxea
Galaxea sp. probably G.fascicularis
Growth form: usually massive, s/t columnar to cushion-shaped, occasionally branched; Corallite wall: well spaced, generally tall and thinwalled; Corallite arrangement: plocoid & exsert, usually about 3-5 mm in diameter (G.fascicularis: 10 mm); Coenosteum: cellular; Septa:
prominent and exsert, leafy but delicate, numerous reach the center, margins smooth; Skeleton: perforate; Columella: absent or weak; Budding:
extratentacular
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Galaxea sp. probably G.cryptoramosa
Growth form: phaceloid, columnar, occasionally branched; Corallite wall: well spaced, generally tall and thin-walled; Corallite arrangement:
plocoid & exsert, usually about 3-8 mm in diameter; Coenosteum: smooth; Septa: prominent and exsert, numerous reach the center, margins
smooth; Skeleton: perforate; Columella: absent or weak; Budding: extratentacular
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Family Meandrinidae: (Gk. maiandros, windig; L. ina, like)…. a
reference to the winding valleys.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Ctenella (Gk. ktenos, comb; L. –ella, relating to the septa),
Gyrosmilia (Gk. gyros, round; smilion, knife),
Montigyra (L. mons, mountain; Gk. gyros, round)
Altlantic genera:----------------------------------Meandrina (Gk. meandros, winding; L. –ina, denoting
likeness),
Dichocoenia (Gk. dicha, divided into two; koinos, to share),
Dendrogyra (Gk. dendron, tree; gyros, round),
Eusmilia (Gk. eu, true; smilion, knife),
Key to the family Meandrinidae
Colony not phaceloid
Colony meandroid
Valleys convoluted
Colony hemispherical: Genus Ctenella
Colony columnar: Genus Dendrogyra
Valleys not convoluted
Columella present: Genus Meandrina
Columellae absent: Genus Gyrosmilia
Colony not meandroid
Colony plocoid: Genus Dichocoenia
Colony not plocoid: Genus Montigyra
Colony phaceloid: Genus Caryophylliidae
Gyrosmilia interrupta
Growth form: sub-massive to laminar; Corallite wall: characteristic radiating valleys with mid-ridge to mid-ridge distance approx. 6-10 mm;
Corallite arrangement: meandering, joined laterally throughout the colony (ridges shared with its neighbors); Coenosteum: cellular;
Septa: uniformly spaced, approx. 10 septa per cm, exsert, margins non-dentate & smooth; Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: none;
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Dichocoenia stokesi
Growth form: massive to sub-massive; Corallite wall: distinct; Corallite arrangement: plocoid, 3-8 mm in diameter, distinctly separated;
Coenosteum:; Septa: 2 alternating cycles, margins smooth, no paliform lobes; Skeleton: solid; Columella: plate-like; Budding: intratentacular
Dendrogyra cylindrus
Growth form: cylindriform; Corallite wall:; Corallite arrangement: corallites fuse to meanders, width mid-ridge to mid-ridge 5-6 mm;
Coenosteum: septo-costae very thick; Septa: 6-7 septa/cm in 2 cycles, leafy, margins very smooth; Skeleton:; Columella:;
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Eusmilia fastigiata
Growth form: flabellate, attached; Corallite wall: thin; Corallite arrangement: several meandering that are laterally free; i.e. each ridge
separated from its neighbour by deep and distinctive groove; Coenosteum: rough; Septa: exsert, margins smooth, costae rudimentary;
Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: spongy;
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Family Siderastreidae: (L. sideris, star; Gk. aster, star)….relating to
the regular star-like arrangement of the calices and septa.
Circumtropical genus:--------------------Siderastrea (Gk. sideriss, star; aster, star),
Indo-Pacific genera:-----------------------------------Pseudosiderastrea (Gk. pseudo, false; sideris, star; aster, star),
Psammocora (Gk. psammos, sand; kore, pupil of the eye),
Coscinaraea (Gk. koskinos, sieve; araios, thin, porous)
Indian Ocean genera:--------------------------Horastrea (Malagasy word hora, coral; Gk. aster, star)
Anomastraea (Gk. anomos, irregular, unequal; aster, star)
Key to the family Siderastreidae
Corallite walls well defined
Colony plocoid: Genus Horastrea
Colony not plocoid
Colony cerioid
Septal teeth saw-like: Genus
Pseudosiderastrea
Septal teeth not saw-like: Genus
Siderastrea
Colony not cerioid: Genus Anomastraea
Corallite walls not well defined
Corallites < 3 mm diameter: Genus Psammocora
Corallites > 3 mm diameter: Genus Coscinaraea
Siderastrea sp. possibly S.savignyana
Growth form: small massive (boulder) to encrusting colonies; Corallite wall: shared walls, wide & often with midline; Corallite arrangement:
cerioid, 2-4 mm regular, rounded to cerioid (polygonal); Coenosteum: -; Septa: in 2 cycles, approx. 30 for a 3mm calice w/ every other fused at
center, septa perforated, margins dentate, synapticulae present; Skeleton: solid; Columella: few pinules
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Siderastrea sp. S.siderea
Growth form: small massive (boulder) to encrusting colonies; Corallite wall: shared walls, wide & often with midline; Corallite arrangement:
cerioid, 2-4 mm regular, rounded to cerioid (polygonal); Coenosteum: -; Septa: in 2 cycles, approx. 30 for a 3mm calice w/ every other fused at
center, septa perforated, margins dentate, synapticulae present; Skeleton: solid; Columella: few pinules
Psammocora sp. possibly P.nierstraszi
Growth form: massive, sub-massive, encrusting; Corallite wall: steep, often several calices grouped together forming almost meandering
valleys; Corallite arrangement: 2 mm rounded with indistinct outline; Coenosteum: -; Septa: branch & ramify, petaloid, non-fusing, seldom
>10 reach columella, synapticular rings well developed; Skeleton: -; Columella: groups of pinnules,
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Psammocora contigua
Growth form: sub-massive w/ flattened branches, nodular, columnar; Corallite wall: none; Calice arrangement: shallow, 0.5-0.8 mm with
indistinct outline; Coenosteum: -; Septa: <10, slightly petaloid, non-fusing, synapticular rings developed; Skeleton: -; Columella: syliform
Coscinaraea monile
Growth form: <30cm, dome-shaped to encrusting, partly foliaceous; Corallite wall: low to high and thick walls, often surrounded by collines,
no midline; Corallite arrangement: calices polycentric, 2-7 mm rounded or irregular across short valleys; Coenosteum: fused septo-costae;
Septa: 20-30 septa per calice with some fused at center, margins dentated, synapticulae present; Skeleton: -; Columella: w/ pinnules
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Family Agariciidae: (Gk. agarikon, mushroom)…. possibly relating to
the the growth form, which can be flattened like a mushroom.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Pavona (L. pavo, peacock),
Coeloseris (Gk. koilos, hollow; seris, lettuce),
Gardineroseris (named after S.Gardiner; Gk. seris, lettuce),
Pachyseris (Gk. pachys, thick; seris, lettuce)
Circumtropical genus:--------------------Leptoseris (Gk. leptos, slender; Gk. seris, lettuce)
Atlantic genera:----------------------------Agaricia (Gk. agarikon, muschroom)
Helioseris (Gk. helios, sun; I>seris, lettuce)
Key to the family Agariciidae
Colony not massive
Corallite centers discernible
Polyps aligned between collines
Corallites w/o individual walls: Genus Agaricia
Corallites with individ. walls: Genus Leptoseris
Polyps not aligned between collines: Genus Pavona
Corallite centers not discernible: Genus Pachyseris
Colony massive
Corallites in concavities: Genus Gardineroseris
Corallites not in concavities: Genus Coeloseris
Pavona sp. possibly P.diffluens
Growth form: foliaceous to encrusting and massive; Corallite wall: lacking, collines may enclose several calices; Corallite arrangement:
densely packed, 2-3mm in diameter, round to oval, s/t even elongate, polygonal; Coenosteum: exsert septo-costae, continous b/w centers,
strongly alternating; Septa:, petaloid and alternating, margins smooth; Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: styliform
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Gardineroseris planulata
Growth form: columnar to massive, s/t laminar edges; Corallite wall: poorly defined, polycentric calices, forming U-shaped valleys; Calice
arrangement: 2-5 mm polygonal, irregular or elongate; Coenosteum: septo-costae interconnect calices; Septa: narrow, granulated, continous
b/w centers, margins smoothly serrated, synapticulae often present; Skeleton: -; Columella: none
Pachyseris gemmae
Growth form: large, foliaceous (unifacial) to massive; Corallite wall: distinct, collines with calices in valleys; Corallite arrangement:
indistinct, if visible 2-5 mm in series; Coenosteum: wavy septo-costae forming collines; Septa: 40 parallel & alternating septa per cm, margins
finely serrated; Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: fused w/ septo-costae
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Leptoseris explanata
Growth form: unifacial leafy to encrusting; Corallite wall: collines s/t present, enclosing series of mouths; Corallite arrangement: 2-5 mm in
series, loosely scattered & inclined t/w colony perimeter; Coenosteum: septo-costae interconnect calices; Septa: alternating & uninterrupted b/w
centers, margins finely serrated, synapticulae rare; Skeleton: solid; Columella: tongue-like
Agaricia agaricites
Growth form:; Corallite wall: on corallite level s/t inconspicuous, among groups present, among larger groups even dominant & raised; calices
> 2mm in diameter; Corallite arrangement: rounded to polygonal & densly packed, s/t to sieries; Coenosteum: costae run uninterrupted b/w
centers; minutely dentated; Septa: 2 cycles; Skeleton: solid; Columella: solid to tongue-like; Budding: intratentacular
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Family Fungiidae: (L. fungus, mushroom)…. describing the
mushroom-like appearance of many young specimens.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Cycloseris (Gk. kyklos, circle; seris, lettuce),
Diaseris (Gk. dias-, across, through; seris, lettuce),
Cantharellus (Gk. cantharus, amphora),
Heliofungia (Gk. helios, sun; L. fungus, mushroom),
Fungia (L. fungus, mushroom),
Ctenactis (Gk. ktenos, comb),
Herpolitha (Gk. herpo, to creep; litha, stone),
Polyphyllia (Gk. polys, many; phyllon, leaf),
Sandalolitha (Gk. sandalon, flat-fish; lithos,stone),
Halomitra (Gk. halos, sea; mitra, cap),
Zoopilus (Gk. zoos, animal; L. pileus, cap),
Lithophyllon (Gk. lithos, stone; phyllon, leaf),
Podabacia (Gk. podos, foot; L. baca, berry-like)
Key to the family Fungiidae
Not colonial
Free living
Central mouth dominant
Disc small, costae inconspicuous
Disc entire: Genus Cycloseris
Disc partitioned in segments: Genus Diaseris
Disc not small, costae conspicuous
Septal teeth w/ small lobes: Genus Fungia
Septal teeth w/ large lobes: Genus Heliofungia
Axial furrow dominant: Genus Ctenactis
Attached to substrate: Genus Cantharellus
Colonial
Colony free living
Axial furrow indistinct: Genus Herpolitha
Axial furrow indistinct or absent
Septo-costae petaloid: Genus Polyphyllia
Septo-costae not petaloid
Corallites robust & crowded: Genus Sandalolitha
Corallites not robust or crowded
Colonies form delicate domes: Gen. Zoopilus
Colonies not delicate domes: Gen. Halomitra
Colony attached to substrate
Colony mostly encrusting: Genus Lithophyllon
Colony mostly explanate: Genus Podabacia
Cycloseris sp (juvenile w/ broken stylus)
Growth form: disc-like, flattened & solitary; Calice arrangement: spherical to oval; Coenosteum: -; Septa: alternating in 4 cycles and smooth
and radiate from center of corallum to its outer perimeter; Costae: dentated; Skeleton: perforated; Columella: spongy
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Fungia klunzingeri evtl. F.scabra
Growth form: disc-like, domed & solitary, 2-50 cm or more in diameter or length; Calice arrangement: spherical to oval; Coenosteum: -;
Septa: alternating in 3 cycles and finely dentaded, radiate from center to perimeter of corallum; Costae: finely granulated; Columella: spongy
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Family Rhizangiidae: (Gk. rhizon, root)…. probably relating to the polyps that are linked to neighboring polyps by rootles
Atlantic genus:------------------------------Astrangia (?. ?, ?)
Key to the family Rhizangiidae
Genus Astrangia
Genus Colangia
Genus Culicia
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Family Pectiniidae: (Gk. pectinis, comb)…. probably relating to the
comb-like appearance of the walls, which are often tall, thin and
striated.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Echinophyllia (Gk. echinos, hedgehog, spiny; phyllon, leaf),
Echinomorpha (Gk. echinos, hedgehog, spiny; morphus,
figure, shape),
Oxypora (Gk. ox, sharp; porous, pore),
Mycedium (Gk. mykes, knobbed; -idion, diminutive suffix),
Pectinia (Gk. pectinis, comb)
Key to the family Pectiniidae
Corallites are more conspicuous than coenostial structures
Non-colonial: Genus Echinomorpha
Colonial genera
Coenostial pits present: Genus Oxypora
Coenostial pits absent
Corallites not inclined: Genus Echinophyllia
Corallites inclined: Genus Mycedium
Coenostial structures very conspicuous: Genus Pectinia
Echinophyllia aspera
Growth form: usually unifacial-foliaceous or encrusting, occasionally semi-massive; central part hillocky and sub-massive, periphery s/t
contorted and whorl-like; Corallite wall: protruding with vertical walls; Corallite arrangement: calice diameter 5-10 mm (range 3-20 mm),
loosely scattered & well spaced; Coenosteum: perforated next to calices, costae toothed; Septa: widely spaced, margins with irregular sharp teeth;
Skeleton: without pores or slits; Columella: twisted trabeculae
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Mycedium elephantotus
Growth form: usually unifacial-foliaceous or encrusting, occasionally partially branched fronds; Corallite wall: protruding with vertical walls;
Corallite arrangement: calice diameter 5-10 mm (range 3-20 mm), loosely scattered, well spaced, protruding & inclined towards perimeter;
Coenosteum: septo-costae interconnect calices & never pitted; Septa: widely spaced, margins with irregular sharp teeth; Skeleton: without pores
or slits; Columella: few twisted trabeculae
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Family Merulinidae: (L. merus, pure; L. linea, line)…. outlining the
entirely line-like appearance of the valleys.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Hydnophora (Gk. hydnon, tuber; phero, to bear),
Paraclavarina (Gk. para, beside; L. clavarius, clublike),
Merulina (L. merus, pure; linea, line),
Boninastrea (Japanes island of Bonin; Gk. aster, star),
Scaphophyllia (L. scapus, stalk, shaft; Gk.phyllon, leaf)
Key to the family Merulinidae
Monticules developed: Genus Hydnophora
Monticules not developed
Colony consists of branches and/or laminae
No basal laminae: Genus Paraclavarina
With basal laminae: Genus Merulina
Colony massive: Genus Boninastrea
Colony columnar: Genus Scapophyllia
Hydnophora microconos
Growth form: massive & rounded, s/t branched columns; Corallite wall: shared & projecting to discontinuous cones 2-3 mm in diameter
(hydnophorid); Calice arrangement: in branching and looping series 0.5 mm in diameter; Coenosteum: none; Septa: fused with columella;
Skeleton: imperforate; Columella: narrow, solid ridge
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Family Dendrophylliidae: (Gk. dendron, tree; Gk. phyllon, leaf)….
presumably relating to the branched, tree-like growth form of some
species.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Turbinaria (L. turbinatus, cone-shaped; -aria, suffix denoting
resemblance),
Duncanopsammia (?. ?, ?; Gk. psammon, sand),
Rhizopsammia (Gk, rhiza, root; psammon, sand),
Balanophyllia (Gk. balanos, acorn; phyllon, leaf),
Heteropsammia (Gk. heteros, unlike, different; psammon,
sand),
Circum-tropical genera:--------------------------Tubastraea (L. tubus, tube; Gk. aster, star),
Dendrophyllia (Gk. dendron, tree; Gk. phyllon>, leaf)
Key to the family Dendrophylliidae
Colony attached to substrate
Colony with fronds or encrusting: Genus Turbinaria
Colony composed of branches
Branches subdivide: Genus Duncanopsammmia
Branches do not subdivide: Genus
Balanophyllia
Colony not attached to substrate: Genus Heteropsammia
Tubastraea micranthus
Growth form: branched in dendroid manner, tufts or tree-like growth; Corallite wall: exsert, s/t cup-shaped & porous; Calice arrangement:
corallites well spaced, with deep fossa & typically 5-10 mm in diameter; Coenosteum: porous w/ distinctly granulated structures that are
parallel oriented; Septa: visible even in living coral but seldomly united, i.e. fuse according to Pourtalès pattern; Skeleton: porous;
Columella: spongy
http://eol.org/pages/1006641/overview
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Family Caryophylliidae: (Gk. karyon, nucleus; Gk. phyllon, leaf)…. presumably relating to the knob-like appearance of the polyp and the leafy
septa.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Heterocyathus (Gk. heteros, different; khyatos, bowl),
Phyllangia (Gk. phyllon, leaf; angeion, vessel)
Key to the family Caryophylliidae
Genus Heteropyathus
Genus Phyllangia
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Family Mussidae: (L. mus, mouse)
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Blastomussa (Gk. blastos, bud; mussa, a coral genus),
Micromussa (Gk. micros, small; mussa, a coral genus),
Acanthastrea (Gk. akantha, thorn, prickle; aster, star),
Lobophyllia (Gk. lobos, lobe; phyllon, leaf),
Symphyllia (Gk. syn-, together; phyllon, leaf),
Indophyllia (first recorded in Indonesia; Gk. phyllon, leaf),
Australomussa (L. australis, Australia; Gk. mussa, a coral
genus),
Cynarina (Gk. kinara, an artichoke; L. –ina, suffix denoting
likeness)
Circum-tropical genus:-------------------------Scolymia (Gk. skolymos, an artichoke)
Atlantic genera:----------------------------------Mussa (L. mus, mouse),
Mussismilia (L. mus, mouse; epten , equal), sometimes
termed Protomussa,
Isophyllia (G. isos, equal; phyllon, leaf),
Mycetophyllia (Gk. mycetos, knobbed; phyllon, leaf)
Key to the family Mussidae
Colonial
Corallites <12mm diameter
Colony phaceloid: Genus Blastomussa
Colony Cerioid: Genus Micromussa
Corallites >12mm diameter
Colony cerioid to subplocoid
Septal teeth pointed: Genus Acanthastrea
Septal teeth beaded: Genus Mussismilia
Colony subplocoid to submeandroid: Genus Isophyllia
Colony phaceloid to flabello-meandroid
Corallites numerous: Genus Lobophyllia
Corallites not numerous: Genus Mussa
Colony meandroid
Septal teeth very prominent: Genus Symphyllia
Septal teeth not very prominent
Valleys mostly radiate: Genus Mycetophyllia
Valleys concentric: Genus Australomussa
Non Colonial
Septal teeth pointed: Genus Scolymia
Septal teeth lobed
Septal teeth very large: Genus Cynarina
Septal teeth not very large: Genus Indophyllia
36/58
Blastomussa sp possibly B.merleti
Growth form: sub-plocoid but not distinctly phaceloid; Corallite wall: several mm tall; Calice arrangement: corallites 5 -15 mm in diameter, may
form clumps, corallites less than 1 cm tall; Coenosteum: smooth and also distinctly perforated; Septa: in 2 cycles, first prominent fusing w/
columella, blunt septal lobes & dentated; Skeleton: arranged in interconnected tubes; Columella: solid; in situ: tentacles extended during day
Acanthastrea sp. oder A.brevis
Growth form: sub-massive to encrustin; Corallite wall: seldom fused basally; Corallite arrangement: cerioid to sub-plocoid corallites, crowded
and 15 mm (range 10-25) in diameter; Coenosteum: present or reduced; Septa: widely spaced, margins with long, mussid teeth, costae usually
present, may be discontinuous; Columella: spongy
37/58
Lobophyllia hemprichii
Growth form: extensively phaceloid, hemispherical w/ polycentric, s/t meandering branches; Corallite wall: distinctly exsert and often shared at
base of colony; Corallite arrangement: few encircle individual calices, majority form longitudinal ridges between groups or series;
Septa: alternating, exsert, margins with long, sharp spines; septa taper in thickness from wall to calice center; Columella: spongy
Lobophyllia corymbosa
Growth form: sturdy phaceloid, hemispherical w/ 1/3 centers per branch; Corallite wall: distinctly exsert and often shared at base of colony;
Corallite arrangement: few encircle individual calices, majority form longitudinal ridges between groups or series; Septa: alternating,
exsert, margins with long, sharp spines; Columella: spongy
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Mycetophyllia sp. probably M.danaana
Growth form: attached, circular encrusting; Corallite wall: discontionously meandering, shared with neighbouring corallites; Corallite
arrangement: laterally fused (ridge shared with neighbouring corallites); Septa: continuous over corallites, stout, margins with long, sharp
spines, mid-ridge toi mid-ridge distance >5mm; Columella: inconspicious
Isophyllia rigida
Growth form: massive; Corallite wall: shared, forming continous ridges; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, some fused, over 10mm in diameter;
Septa: in 2 cycles, rather thin & stout, margins w/ long & sharp spines; Columella: spongy
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Family Faviidae-1: (L. favus, honeycomb)…. relating to the
regular appearance of the corallites.
Genera exhibiting predominantly extratentacular budding:
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Plesiastrea (Gk. plesios, recent; Gk. aster, star),
Oulastrea (Gk. oulos, curly; Gk. aster, star),
Diploastrea (Gk. diploos, double; aster, star),
Leptastrea (Gk. leptos, slender; aster, star),
Cyphastrea (Gk. kyphos, humped; aster, star),
Moseleya (named after H.N. Moseley)
Arabic region genus:---------------------------Parasimplastrea (Gk.para, besides; L. epten, simple)
Circum-tropical genus.-------------------------Montastrea (L. montis, mountain; Gk. aster, star)
Atlantic genus:-----------------------------------Solenastrea (Gk. solen, channel; aster, star)
Key to the family Faviidae
Colonies phaceloid
Corallites small (<5mm diameter): Genus Cladocora
Corallites not small (>5mm diameter): Genus Caulastrea
Colonies flabello-meandroid: Genus Erythrastrea
Colonies massive or derived from massive
Budding intratentacular or meandroid
Colonies plocoid
Coraliites not exsert: Genus Favia
Corallites exsert: Genus Barabattoia
Colonies cerioid to secondarily meandroid
Paliform lobes present
Paliform lobes not prominent: Genus Favites
Paliform lobes prominent
Valleys <10mm across Genus Goniastrea
Valleys >10mm across
Ambulacral groove present
Colonies large: Genus Colpophyllia
Colonies small: Genus Manicina
Ambulacral groove absent: Genus Oulophyllia
Paliform lobes absent or weakly developed
Paliform lobes spongy
Ambulacral groove absent: Genus Platygyra
Ambulacral groove present: Genus Diploria
Paliform lobes wall-like: Genus Leptoria
Colonies branching: Genus Australogyra
Budding extratentacular
Corallites small (<4mm diameter)
Corallites crowded: Genus Cyphastrea
Corallites not crowded: Genus Plesiastrea
Corallites middle-sized (>4mm, <15mm diameter)
Corallites plocoid
Colonies submassive
Septa strongly alternate: Genus Oulastrea
Septa do not alternate: Genus Montrastrea
Colonies massive to columnar: G. Solenastrea
Corallites cerioid: Genus Leptastrea
Corallites subplocoid: Genus Parasimplastrea
Corallites large, conspicuous (>15mm diameter)
Corallites cerioid: Genus Moseleya
Corallites plocoid: Genus Diploastrea
Colonies explanate to branching: Genus Echinopora
40/58
Leptastrea sp possibly L.purpurea
Growth form: flat but massive to encrusting; Corallite wall: fused basally and separated by a fine furrow (ambulacral groove); Corallite
arrangement: cerioid, s/t even polycentric & slightly immersed corallites w/ fossa, often 3-4 mm (range 2 to 10 mm) in diameter; Coenosteum:
absent, sublime ambulacral goove; Septa: in 2 cycles; Columella: small & solid; Budding: extratentacular
Chyphastrea microphthalma
Growth form: usually massive and rounded, may be encrusting, s/t plate-like; Corallite wall: indistinct; Corallite arrangement: plocoid, calices
separated by several mm, corallites exsert, rounded, diameter usually 1-2.5 mm in diameter; Coenosteum: noncostate either blistered or with fine
pinules; Septa: 2x10 cycles w/ only the primary well developed; Columella: spongy; Budding: extratentacular
41/58
Montastrea sp. possibly M.annuligera
Growth form: massive, dome-shaped, occasionally encrusting; Corallite wall: distinct; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, monocentric & circular,
crowded, diameter about 7 (s/t 15) mm; Coenosteum: costae continous with dentate margins (amblulacral-like appearance); Septa: in 3 cycles,
primary exsert, paliform lobes usually present; Columella: spongy; Budding: extratentacular;
Montastrea sp. possibly M.annularis
Growth form: massive, dome-shaped, occasionally encrusting; Corallite wall: distinct; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, monocentric & circular,
crowded, diameter about 7 (s/t 15) mm; Coenosteum: costae marginal (amblulacral-like appearance); Septa: in 3 cycles, primary exsert,
paliform lobes marginal; Columella: spongy; Budding: extratentacular …. shown here intratentacular;
42/58
Montastrea cavernosa
Growth form: massive; Corallite wall: present; Corallite arrangement: plocoid, approx. 10mm in diameter, calices round; Coenosteum:
costae distinctly dentated; Septa: margins dentated; Columella: spongy; Budding: extratentacular;
43/58
Family Faviidae-2: Genera exhibiting predominantly intratentacular budding:
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Caulastrea (L. kaulis, stalk; Gk. aster, star),
Barabattoia (?. ?, ?; ?. ?, ?),
Favites (Gk. favus, honeycomb; -ites, like),
Goniastrea (Gk. gonia, corner; aster, star),
Platygyra (Gk. platys, wide; gyros, round),
Australogyra (L. australis, Australia; Gk. gyros, round),
Oulophyllia (Gk. oulos, curly, twisted; phyllon, leaf),
Leptoria (Gk. leptos, slender; seris, lettuce),
Echinopora (Gk. echinos, hedgehog, prickly; L. porus, pore),
Circum-tropical genus.-------------------------Favia (L. favus, honeycomb)
Arabic region genus:----------------------------------Erythrastrea (Gk. erythros, ?; aster, star)
Atlantic genera:----------------------------------Cladocora (Gk. klados, branch; keras, horn) – (also Mediterranean),
Manicina (Gk. manos, wide, loose; kineo, to move),
Diploria (Gk. diplon, fold; oros, mountain),
Colpophyllia (Gk. colpodes, sinuous; phyllon, leaf)
Favites abdita
Growth form: massive, rounded, hillocky; Corallite wall: prominent shared walls and ridge-like; Corallite arrangement: cerioid,
monocentric, polygonal but equal in size, 5-20 mm in diameter ; Coenosteum: costae present; Skeleton: imperforate; Septa: granulated,
exsert spines on septal margins, sometimes ragged, paliform lobes s/t present; Columella: spongy; Budding: intratentacular
44/58
Goniastrea sp. possibly G.peresi
Growth form: encrusting, s/t plate-like; Corallite wall: prominent, exsert shared walls and ridge-like; Corallite arrangement: cerioid,
polygonal, equal in size, 4-10 mm in diameter, fossa deep; Coenosteum: costae present; Skeleton: imperforate; Septa: granulated, spines on
septal margins closely set, sometimes ragged, paliform lobes well developed; Columella: spongy; Budding: intratentacular
Platygyra daedalea
Growth form: massive, ; Corallite wall: dominant, linked in series (mid-ridge to mid-ridge between 3-10 mm); Corallite arrangement: cerioid to
indistinct meandroid; Septa: well spaced, often slightly exsert, margins distinctly serrated; fused walls, margins coarsely toothed; Columella:
weakly developed, centers indistinct, trabecular, spongy; Budding: intratentacular
45/58
Echinopora gemmacea
Growth form: bifacial-foliaceous, s/t encrusting or branched; Corallite wall: slightly exsert; Calice arrangement: plocoid, calices separated by
several mm, corallite diameter usually 2-7 mm; Coenosteum: usually with rows of small teeth sometimes with smooth edged or dentate costae;
Septa: in 3 cycles, primary exsert; Columella: spongy w/ weakly expressed paliform lobes; Budding: intratentacular
Echinopora irregularis
Growth form: foliaceous, encrusting or short-branched; Corallite wall: thick & exsert, forming interlocking clumps; Calice arrangement: calices
separated by several mm, corallite diameter up to 10 mm; Coenosteum: usually with rows of prominent dentated costae; Septa: in 3 cycles,
primary exsert; Columella: spongy; Budding: intratentacular
46/58
Manicina sp. possibly M.aerolata.
Growth form: encrusting, sub-massive, s/t unattached; Corallite wall: fused &; Corallite arrangement: meandering valleys; Coenosteum:
none; Septa: septa in 2 cycles, approx. 25 septa /cm; margins w/ sharp, sometimes ragged teeth, sides sharp, small paliform lobes; Columella:
fused & twisted; Budding: intratentacular
Favia sp. possibly Favia laxa
Growth form: massive, hemispherical, occasionally encrusting; Corallite wall: ringlike distinct; Corallite arrangement: plocoid, monocentric,
calices circular to oval, not too crowded, corallite diameter 5-8 mm; Coenosteum: costate, with dentated margins; Septa: in 2 cycles, paliform
lobes form a crown; Columella: spongy; Budding: extra-, and intratentacular
47/58
Diploria strigosa
Growth form: massive, hemispherical, occasionally encrusting; Corallite wall: shared with neighbours, smoothly meandering; mid-ridge to
mid-ridge distance approx. 8 mm; Corallite arrangement:; Coenosteum: none; Septa: approx. 15 septa / cm; in series and 2 cycles, paliform
lobes present; Columella: laminar & spongy; Budding: intratentacular
Diploria clivosa
Growth form: massive, hemispherical, occasionally encrusting; Corallite wall: shared with neighbours, knobby meanders; mid-ridge to midridge distance approx. 5-8 mm; Corallite arrangement:; Coenosteum: none; Septa: approx. 13 septa / cm; in series and rudimentary 2 cycles,
paliform lobes present; Columella: spongy; Budding: intratentacular
48/58
Family Trachyphylliidae: (Gk. trachys, rough; Gk. phyllon, leaf)…. possibly relating to the intended form of the corallum that resembles a large
and uneven leaf.
Indo-Pacific genus:-----------------------------Trachyphyllia (Gk. trachys, rough; phyllon, leaf)
49/58
Family Poritidae: (L. porous, pore; Gk. –ites, like)…. relating to the
porous nature of the corallum.
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Stylaraea (Gk. stylos, pillar),
Poritipora (L. porus, pore; Gk. –ites, suffix denoting likeness;
L. porus, pore),
Goniopora (Gk. gonia, an angle; L. porus, pore),
Alveopora (L. alveolus, small, hollow; porus, pore),
Curcum-tropical genus:-------------------------Porites (L. porus, pore; Gk. –ites, suffix denoting likeness)
Key to the family Poritidae
Corallites <2mm diameter
Septa fused in non-cyclical pattern: Genus Porites
Septa not fused
Columella present: Genus Stylaraea
Columella absent: Genus Poritipora
Corallites >2mm diameter
Skeleton robust, not very porous: Genus Goniapora
Skeleton delicate, very porous: Genus Alveopora
Goniopora minor
Growth form: hemispherical; Corallite wall: rather thick; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, calices circular crowded, 1-3 mm in diameter;
Coenosteum: costae absent; Septa: usually 24 with their margins smooth or granular; Skeleton: porous; Columella: small; in situ: tentacles
extended during day (polyps usually over 10 mm long)
50/58
Goniopora sp.
Growth form: hemispherical; Corallite wall: rather thick; Calice arrangement: cerioid, 1-3 mm in diameter; Coenosteum: costae absent;
Septa: usually 24 with their margins smooth or granular, usually 6 pali present; Skeleton: porous; Columella: small; in situ: tentacles
extended during day (polyps usually over 10 mm long)
Alveopora sp. possibly A.daedalea
Growth form: hemispherical to encrusting, s/t thick plates; Corallite wall: highly porous; Calice arrangement: cerioid, about 0.5-3 mm in
diameter; Coenosteum: smooth, costae absent; Septa: 12 septa, reduced to tiny spines; Skeleton: very porous (extremely light-weight);
Columella: small, sometimes absent; in situ: small tentacles extended during day (polyps usually over 10 mm long)
51/58
Porites solida
Growth form: massive, encrusting to digitate yielding an undulating appearance; Corallite wall: shared walls, not ridge-like; Corallite
arrangement: cerioid, polygonal, rather large (1.5 mm in diameter); Coenosteum: costae absent; Septa: 12; Skeleton: imperforate, dense;
Columella: paliform crown present
Porites sp. possibly P.lobata (the specimen shown is non sessile)
Growth form: massive, encrusting to digitate; Corallite wall: shared walls, not ridge-like; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, polygonal, 1 mm
in diameter; Coenosteum: costae absent; Septa: 12; Skeleton: imperforate, dense; Columella: paliform crown present
52/58
Porites furcata
Growth form: compact branches, digitate; Corallite wall: shared walls; Corallite arrangement: cerioid, rounded, 1.6-2 mm in diameter;
Coenosteum: costae absent; Septa: 12; Skeleton: porous; Columella: paliform crown w/ styliform center
53/58
Non-Scleractinian families:
Indo-Pacific genera:----------------------------Helioporidae (Gk. helios, sun; L. porus, pore),
Tubiporidae (L. tubus, tube; porus, pore),
Circum-tropical genera:------------------------Milleporidae (L. mille, thousand; porus, pore),
Stylasteridae (Gk. stylos, style; aster, star)
Heliopora coerulea
Growth form: large, platelike, vertical; Corallite wall: not visible; Calice arrangement: polyp-bearing chambers <0.5 mm in diameter
whereas the smaller but more numerous ones measure 0.1 mm (numeric ratio b/w gastropores & the later: approx. 1:10); Coenosteum:
styliform but smooth, w/o costae; Septa: none; Skeleton: bluish (iron salts) & imperforate; Columella: none
http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/classification-mesozoic.jsp
54/58
Millepora sp.
Growth form: large, conspicuous, massive to branched; Corallite wall: not visible; Calice arrangement: polyp-bearing chambers <0.2 mm in
diameter usually encircled by more numerous dactylopores measuring 0.1 mm (numeric ratio b/w gastro- & dactylopore: approx. 1:5-7);
Coenosteum: smooth w/o costae; Septa: none; Skeleton: pale yellow & imperforate; Columella: none
http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/classification-mesozoic.jsp
Tubipora musica
Growth form: plocoid; Corallite wall: not visible; Calice arrangement: in organ-pipe-arrangement, each pipe measuring 1-2 mm;
Coenosteum: smooth w/o costae; Septa: none; Skeleton: porous, red, tubes parallel aligned, bound together by vertical trabeculae;
Columella: none; in situ: polyps normally extended during day (each with 8 tentacles that bear small branchlets)
http://eol.org/pages/41302/overview
55/58
Glossary:
Ahermatypic: corals that lack zooxanthellae and do not contribute to reef-building.
Anastomose: Linked or fused by cross-branches,.
Autotroph: An organism utilising inorganic materials as food, as most plants and certain
bacteria and protozoans (cf. heterotroph).
Axial: referring to the corallite formed at the tip of a branch.
Benthic: Referring to the seabed, or an organism living on or associated with the seabed.
Bilateral symmetry: Symmetry which divides a body along a single plane into two
identical halves.
Biramous With two branches or rami.
Calcareous: Made of or containing calcium salts (aragonite), especially calcium carbonate.
Calice: upper, open end of the corallite.
Cerioid: closely packed corallites with fused walls.
Circumtropical: distribution pattern that encompasses the tropical belt of bot the
Atlantic and the Indo-Pacificdomain.
Coenosarc: an extension of the polyp that stretches over the surface of the skeleton.
Coenosteum: skeletal material deposited outside the corallite wall.
Colline: elongate wall or ridge formed between corallites or groups of corallites.
Columella: a skeletal structure that develops in the central axis of the calice. It is
usually either styliform (rod-like), papillose, trabecular (both spongy in
appearance) or lamellar (formed from a series of interconnecting vertical plates).
Corallite: skeletal parts deposited by a single polyp.
Corallum: the skeleton of solitary and colonial corals.
Costae: extension of the septa outside the corallite wall.
Dendroid: corallum formed from spreading branches of single corallites.
Denticulate: With small teeth.
Dichotomous Divided or dividing into two equal parts.
Digitate: With finger-like projections.
Dissepiments: skeletal structures left by the polyps.
Distal: Situated away from the point of origin or attachment (cf. proximal).
Diurnal: With a daily pattern or rhythm.
Dorsal: On the upper surface of a bilaterally symmetrical animal.
Exsert: a term used to describe septa that protrude above the top of the corallite wall.
Extratentacular (= intercalicular): describing a form of asexual reproduction in
corals in which a new mouth is produced from the edge zone or coenosarc and
thus lies outside the parental ring of tentacles.
Flabellate: corallum in which the meanders arise from a common base but are free
laterally. They may be relatively short (crescentic) or elongate and sinuous
(flabello-meandroid).
Fossa: the central depression in a calice, usually partly filled by the columella.
Fusiform: Spindle-shaped; rounded and tapering towards each end.
Hermatypic: corals that contain zooxanthellae and contribute to the building of reefs.
Heterotroph: An organism capable of utilising only organic materials as a source of food;
characteristic of animals (cf. autotroph).
Hexacorals: scleractinia with polyps with six or multiples of six tentacles; produce a
calcareous skeleton.
Hydrocorals: hydrozoan coelenterates that produce a calcareous skeleton.
Imperforate: referring to skeletal structures in corals {e.g., walls, septa, coenosteum)
that are solid rather than porous.
Insert: a term used to describe septa which do not protrude above the top of the
corallite wall.
Intratentacular (= intracalicular): describing a form of asexual reproduction in
corals in which the oral disc invaginates to produce a new mouth within the
parental ring of tentacles.
Meandroid: corallum in which the corallites are fused in longitudinal series to
produce a pattern of valleys and ridges.
Mesenteries / mesenterial filaments: the mesenteries are radial partitions lying
within the gastrovascular cavity of the coral polyp; mesenterial filaments may be
produced from their free inner margins.
Octocorals: alcyonarian coelenterates with polyps of eight or multiples of eight
tentacles; that produce a calcareous skeleton.
Oral disc: upper surface of the polyp, extending from the mouth to the outer ring of
tentacles.
Ecomorph: an intraspecific variant produced in response to environmental factors.
Encrusting: With a surface-covering growth form.
Epifauna: Organisms living on the surface of the seabed (cf. infauna).
Epiphyte: An organism that lives or grows non-parasitically upon a plant.
Explanate: spread out flat.
56/58
Paliform lobe: a vertical lobe-like protrusion formed at the inner end of a septum,
adjacent to the columella.
Perforate: referring to skeletal structures in corals (e.g., walls, septa, coenosteum)
that are porous rather than solid.
Peristome: area within the inner ring of tentacles and immediately surrounding the
mouth.
Peritheca: surface of the coenosteum between the corallites.
Phaceloid: growth form in which tall, separate corallites arise from the basal part of
the corallum.
Photosynthesis: A synthesis of organic materials from carbon dioxide, water and
inorganic salts using sunlight as the energy source; with the aid of a catalyst
such as chlorophyll (see autotroph).
Plankton: The aggregate of generally microscopic organisms passively drifting with the
water movements of the pelagic environment.
Planula (pl. planyulae): the planktonic larval stage of corals.
Plocoid: separate, well defined corallites.
Polymorphic: existing in more than one form. Having, assuming or passing through
various forms or stages.
Polyp: the living part of a coral.
Proximal: Situated toward the point of origin or attachment (opp. distal).
Taxon (pl. taxa) : Term used to describe classification categories (taxonomic groups).
Taxonomy Science concerned with the identification and classification of organisms into
groups (or taxa) based on similarities structure, embryology, etc.
Thamnasterioid: a corallum in which corallite walls are indistinct and the septa run
uninterrupted between calice centers.
Trabeculae: septa built from thick structures, resembling little fortifying beams.
Trochoid: top shaped.
Tuberculate: Having small, rounded projections.
Turbinate: shaped like an inverted cone.
Uniramous: Simple, unbranched.
Ventral On the lower or abdominal, side or surface of a bilaterally symmetrical animal.
Zooxanthellae: unicellular endosymbiontic algae (dinoflagellates) that live in coral
tissues.
Scleractinia: true or stony corals belonging to the Class Zoantharia.
Septa: calcareous, plate-like structures that radiate from the wall toward the center of
the corallites. They are aligned vertically and alternate with the mesenteries.
Septal cycles: relating to the formation and arrangement of the septa. Septa are laid
down in radial series or cycles, the first cycle consisting of six primary septa, the
second of six secondary septa, the third of 12 tertiary septa, and so on.
Septal margin: the upper free edge of the septum,
Septal orders: relating to the size of septa. Equal sized septa form a single order;
subequal or unequal septa form two or more orders. Orders do not necessarily
correspond to cycles (see above).
Septocostae: extensions of the septa that unite adjacent calice centers. They are found
in corals where the corallites lack walls and there is no clear distinction between
septa and costae.
Sessile: Permanently attached (see sedentary) or (e.g. of eyes) attached by the base; not
stalked.
Solitary: referring to corals that grow as a single polyp with a surrounding skeleton.
Spawn: The mass of sperm- and egg-bundles or even planulae released directly into the
water.
Synapticulae: small bars that make lateral links between adjacent septa.
Symbiosis: Two species living in association for their mutual benetit.
57/58
Literature:
Humann P, DeLoach N. (2003) Coral Reef Identification – Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publ. Jacksonville (FL), USA
Mather P., Bennet I. (1994) A Coral Reef Handbook. A guide to the geology, flora & fauna of the GBR, SBS Ltd, Norton (NSW), AUS
Veron J.E.N. (1993) Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific Hardcover. University of Hawaii Press, USA
Veron J.E.N (2000) Corals of the World. 3 Volumes, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, AUS
Wood E.M. (1983) Corals of the World. TFH Publ. Inc, Neptune City (NJ), USA
Specimens provided by:
Dr. A.Antonius, Dr.K.KLEEMANN (Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna) & Dr.P.MADL (University of Salzburg)
Images: Dr.P.MADL
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Scleractinian Coral Taxonomy

Transcription

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