Diagnosis |
Formation: flat to hemispherical, may exceed 5 m across; phaceloid to flabello-meandroid with irregularly dividing valleys. Several colonies in different colors and polyp mantle textures may fuse to form a single composite stand. Septa: thickness taper from wall to columella, with tall sharp teeth. Polyps: thick and fleshy when retracted; mantles either smooth or rough. Color: uniform, or with 2 or more colors concentric to mouths or valley walls; corallites of the same colony share the same coloration (Ref. 848). This species is one of the two species of Lobophyllia and is similar to L. corymbosa, which is very similar to the first in overall growth form. The corallites are phaceloid, separated except at the base and form long meanders 1 to 5 cm in width. The septa and costae are covered with exsert, sharp dentations (Ref. 269). |