Dr. John Edward Norwood "Charlie" Veron, Australien
Info
Lobophyllia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877)
Description:
There is wide latitudinal variation in this species. In subtropical localities it is usually solitary, flat and less than 60 millimetres diameter. In the tropics it is larger and sometimes colonial. Septa slope up from the columella to an indistinct wall then costae slope down to the periphery. This gives the fleshy mantle of the polyps a distinctive concentric texture. Secondary centres occur near the colony centre and also around the periphery. Septo-costae are sturdy, with large blunt teeth.
Color: Usually dark green or tan.
Habitat: Most reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon, rare in the south-west Indian Ocean.
Similar Species: Homophyllia australis, which is much smaller but juveniles may be indistinguishable.
Synonymised names
Lithophyllia grandissima Felix, 1921 † · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Lithophyllia sumatrensis Umbgrove, 1926 † · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Lithophyllia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Parascolymia fungiformis Chevalier, 1975 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Parascolymia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Parascolymia vitiensis var. dentorotunda Chevalier, 1975 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Scolymia vitiensis Brüggemann, 1877 · unaccepted > superseded combination (basionym)
Description:
There is wide latitudinal variation in this species. In subtropical localities it is usually solitary, flat and less than 60 millimetres diameter. In the tropics it is larger and sometimes colonial. Septa slope up from the columella to an indistinct wall then costae slope down to the periphery. This gives the fleshy mantle of the polyps a distinctive concentric texture. Secondary centres occur near the colony centre and also around the periphery. Septo-costae are sturdy, with large blunt teeth.
Color: Usually dark green or tan.
Habitat: Most reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon, rare in the south-west Indian Ocean.
Similar Species: Homophyllia australis, which is much smaller but juveniles may be indistinguishable.
Synonymised names
Lithophyllia grandissima Felix, 1921 † · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Lithophyllia sumatrensis Umbgrove, 1926 † · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Lithophyllia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Parascolymia fungiformis Chevalier, 1975 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Parascolymia vitiensis (Brüggemann, 1877) · unaccepted > superseded combination
Parascolymia vitiensis var. dentorotunda Chevalier, 1975 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Scolymia vitiensis Brüggemann, 1877 · unaccepted > superseded combination (basionym)
