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The following is a generalized description of the present specimens : Branching, main divisions narrower
at the base (1 to 1.5 cm thick) than at the top. At the distal divisions the branches widen to form palmate
expansions with irregular digiriform branchlets that undergo fusion. In one of the specimens (EC 391 )
the top of the branches fuse to form a platform with closely set nodular branchlets 0.5 to 1 cm thick and
high. Lower part of the coralla mostly dead. At the proximal parts of the branches the surface coenenchyme
does not form ridges, instead possesses many papillae-like swellings 1 to 3 mm high and thick at the base.
Between these papillae-like structures the coenenchyme is smooth with pinhole-like calices. At the distal
part of the branches the coenenchyme forms ridges (J mm high ), in between enclosing rows of calices.
Calices 0.6 to 0.7 mm in diameter, circular, flush with the surface, touching each other or up to 0.5 mm
apart, crowded at the lower part of the corallum, but arranged in longitudinal rows at the upper half.
Septa 12 , the ventral triplet forms a trident, the outer ends of septa merge with the echinulations on the
surface coenenchyme. Septal dentation not visible. Pali generally six, of which five, i. e. those of the lateral
pairs of septa and the one o n the ventral directive, are subequal, rising above the level of the wall. In
younger calices the axial fossa is open, but in old ones it is with a central styliform columella. The surface
of the coral covered by fine, close-set echinulations.
Material:
Northern R . S.: HLM EC 150 (Koseir, as Montipora villosa).
Southern R. S. : HLM EC 387-393 (Massawa).
Dis t r ib uti 0 n: Red Sea; Aldabra; Reunion; Str. of Malacca; Marshall Isis.; Caroline Isls_ But
certainly more wide-spread when the synonyms are fully known.
Rem a rk s: Synaraea convexa VERRI LL and S. iwayamaensis are probably one and the same. It is
very likely that species such as P. (Sy".) horizontalata HOFFMEISTER , 1925 , and P. (Syn.) faustinoi
HOFFMEISTER, 1925, are based on basal or initial encrustations of a ramose Synaraea and as such are not
valid species. There is practically very little difference between the specimens we described (PI LLAI &
SCHEER, 1976) from Maldives as Synaraea COllvexa and the present specimens, except for the t hinner
stems of the latter.
B. II . Species with coenenchyme, coralium massive.
Porites (Synaraea) undulata KL UNZ INGER , 1879
(Pla[C~ 25 . Figs. 9, 10)
Syna,,,ea undulata 1879. KLUNZINGER 2. 46; pis. 5/ 30; 6/ 12 (Type locality : R~d Sea).
1888, ORTMANN , 158 .
Porites undulata 1906. v. MARENZELLER, 66; pI. 22/75.
(nOD 1925, HOFFMEISTER. 79).
Po r, (Synaraea) u"du!ata 1941 , CROSSLAND. 42; pis. 8 , 9.
1971 , LOVA & SLOBODKIN, 124.
1973. PILLAI, VINE & SCHEER, 460.
1980, HEAD, 151 ,455.
Synaraea lutea 1879, KLUNZINGER 2. 49 : pis. 5129: 7/4.
1888, ORTMANN, 158.
Porites
Madrepora
Motltipora
Red Sea 4 1905 , BERNARD. 239.
Red Sea 6 1905. BERNARD, 241.
rus 1775. FORSKAL, 135.
rus 1897. BERNARD. 140.
Massive, some are columnar, surface undulating, ridges 1 to 3 mm high and thick, enclosing rows of
calices . Calices circu lar, 0.5 to 0.6 mm in diameter, shallow, superficial, close together. Septa 12, ventral
triplet often fused. Pali six, moderately prominent. ColumeUa styliform, rises to the level of pali. Surface
coenen chyme echinulate.
Mater ial:
Gulf of Aqaba:
J erus.
T. Aviv
SLR
NS
361 ,385 '(Marsa Murach); 653-1, 2, 677 (Marsa Abu Zabad).
6068 (Eilat); 1851 (Shurat el Manqata).