PDF - Eprints@CMFRI

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1939. UM8GROVE . 25 ; pI. 2/1.
1976. PILLAI & SCHEER, 54 ; pI. 2412.
1977, VERON , PICHON & WIJSMAN·8EST. 18; figs. 1l- 15 .
PW 71 333 is an entire colony with a greater spread of 10 cm and a total height of only 5 cm. The
branches are short, 3 to 3.5 cm long each, main division with 2 or 3 monocentric corallites. Corallites
rounded or a little elongated, 12 to 15 mm in diameter, 4 to 5 mm deep. Total number of septa 40 to 44,
excluding a set of spiny ones. Major septa exsert, exsert ends vertical, 1.5 mm. Septa broader below, edges
of septa dentate. Subsidiary septa unite to the major ones, the last tooth often forms a paliform lobe.
Septa slightly swollen at the wall , sides granular.
PW 71351 is a young colony with 9 monostomodaeal corallites. The colony is phaceloid, but the
branches are shorter than in PW 71 33 3. Corallites oval or elongated , larger ones up to 20 mm in diameter.
Larger septa up to 2 mm exsert.
Material :
Gulf of Aqaba : Basel PW 71333 , 351 (Fara'un lsI. , 40 m) .
Dis t rib uti 0 n : Red Sea ; Madagascar; Maldives; Philippines; Japan; Bonin Isis. ; NW-Australia; Great
Barrier Reef; New Caledonia (?).
Rem a rk s : This is the first record of this species and genus from Red Sea .
Genus Erythrastrea PICHON , SCHEER and PI LLA I
Type species : Erythrastreaj1abellata PICHON , SCHEER & PILLA!.
G e n e ric c h a r a ct e r s : Phaceloid , branches flabellate, compressed, epithecate. Wall thin. Calices
meandering, valleys short or long and sinuous, S to 10 mm wide, 4 to 5 mm deep. Columella centres
distinct, formed of septal fusion , adjacent ones linked by indistinct lamellae. Septa exsert vertically,
edges dentate. Costae very conspicuous, extend to the base of the flabellate branches, often linked by
transverse ridges.
Erythrastrea is similar to Cau/astrea in the details of septa and columella characters, but differs in
having a very distinct growth form as well as long and sinuous valleys. In having flabellomeandroid coralla
with columella centres linked by lamellae this genus resembles Tra chyphyllia. But the septal nature as
well as the form of the corallum are entire distinct, the septa have no inner lobe, a characteristic of
Trachyphylliidae. The present genus certainly belongs to Faviid ae, and its closest relative is Cau/astrea.
Erythrastrea flabellata PICHON, SCHEER and PILLAI, in press.
(Pl ate 26. Figs. 3. 4)
Erytbrastf'ea Jlabe/JotQ (? 1983), PICHON , SCHEER & PILLAI, in press.
Wa 75 is composed of two flab ell ate branches with a total height of 12 cm . Width at the top 8 cm , at
the b ~ se 2.5 cm. The two branches are compressed, thickness at the mid-height 10 mm . An epitheca
covers most of the surface, except the extreme top. Wall 0.5 to 0.75 mm thick. Costae correspond to
major septa, elevated , extend to the base of the branch. There are many transverse ridges connecting the
costae. Each branch bears a single valley. Valleys sinuous, 7.5 and 3 cm respectively, when measured
straight. Width of valleys 5 to 9 mm at different pam, depth 5 to 6 mm .
Septa alternating in size , secondaries spiny, 6 to 8 major septa per cm length of wall. Major septa
exsert to 2 mm, exsert part vertical, rounded at the top. Septa broader at the upper half, thinner below;
a constriction is visible at the mid-length, but there is no paliform lobe. Broader parts of septa with
mi croscopic serrations at the edges, lower down with 2 to 3 teeth. Sides of septa granular. Adjacent septa
sometimes fusing together. Columella centres distinct, trabecular; major septa unite with the columella.
Adjacent centres on an average 1 cm apart, linked by weekly developed lamellae.
NS 6062 is represented by a single compressed branch with a total height of 4.5 cm . It bifurcates at
the top and has two valleys,S and 2 cm long respectively. Width of valleys 8 to 11 mm, depth 5 mm. The
major septa a little thickened at the wall, the subsidiaries are better developed than in Wa 75 and fuse to