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This species is represented by two specimens among the material we examined from Red Sea. One is
massive, the other encrusting. Corallites polygonal, calices polygonal or oval , when the walls are thickened.
Greater diameter (length) of calices 2 to 3.5 mm , wall thickened up to 1 mm with a conspicuous intercorallite
groove in the middle. Septa in three cycles, the first two cycles join the columella ; all septa
exsert, slightly swollen at the theca, at first sloping and then vertically descending; edges mostly entire or
with microscopic serrations; sides granular. Columella composed of vertical papillary structures that are
arranged in a line alo ng the middle of the long axis of the calices forming a partition to either ends of
which the two directive septa of the first cycle unite.
Mate r ial ,
Gulf of Aqaba , Basel PW 7 3 631a (Dahab, 20- 22 m, encrusting on a Goniastrea peetinata).
Central R. S.: HLM RM 94 (Wingate R. ).
Dis t rib uti 0 n: A common and widespread species from Red Sea to Tahiti. Often found in all
localities where L. purpurea occurs.
A Slrea
Leptastrta
Leptastrea purpurea (DANA), 1846
(PIa[!! 31 , F igs. 11. 12)
purpurea 1846. DANA, 23 9; pl . 12110a-c (Type locality; Fiji),
purpurea 1918, VAUG HAN . 91; pl. 30/ 1-3 (synonymy),
1948, CROSSLAND. 184 (var. roissyana).
1952. CROSSLAND. 115 , pis. 115 , l/l.
1971. LOYA & SLOBODKIN. 124.
1975 . CHEVALIER, 37 ; pis. 213, 4 ; 3/2; 37/ 11 , 12 ; 38/1-2;42/6 (syno nymy).
1977. VERON. PI CHON & WljSMAN·BEST. 158 , figs. lOl- l 10. 467.
1980, HEAD, 152. 461.
1980, WIJSMAN-BEST, 248 ; pI. 1/ 1. 2 (synonymy).
ebrenbergana 1857, MILNE EDWARDS (& HAIME). 494; pI. 07/ 4 (Type locality: Red Sea).
1888, ORTMANN, 175.
1914 , MATTHAI. 68; pis. 17/ 5, 6; 18/ 2, 7; 19/3 , 4 ; 1418 (synonymy).
1952. CROSSLAND, IlS;pls. 115 ; 3/ 3.
pruinoSD 1952, CROSSLAND, 116 , pI. l i l.
There are three specimens of this species among the material we received from US M, two from Gulf of
Aqaba and two from the old collection of HLM . These speci mens are in general agreement with MATTHAI's
description of L. ehrenbergana.
Mate ri al:
Gulf of Aqaba:
Northern R. S.:
T. Aviv
USNM
HLM
S
Wa
EC
4977 (Dahab); 4861 (Ras Atantur).
76, 77 , 78 (G hardaqa).
70,74 (Koseir, duplicates from KLUNZINGER, the latter labelled
L. ehrenbergiana).
Dis t rib uti 0 n : Wide-spread from Red Sea to Hawaii.
Rem a rk s : SCHEER & PI LLAI (1974) have pointed out the difficulties in separating specimens of
L. transversa and L. purpurea in some cases. It has also been noticed by PILLAI (unpub!.) from South
Indian reefs that in some coralla both purpurea and transversa conditions may coexist at different parts.
Their major distinction lies in the dentation of the septa and in the nature of the columella. All the
authors since MATTHAI (1914) have told these two species separate. However, it is with hesitation that
we separate them. L. transversa could very well be a skeletal form of L. purpurea.
The ty pe of L. pruinosa CROSSLAND in BMNH is a minute colony. Both CHEVALIER (1975) and
VERON et. al. ( 1977) had many specimens which these authors assign to L. pruinosa. According to VERON,
PICHON & WljSMAN-BEST "This species is as difficult to differentiate from L. purpurea as the latter is
form L. transversa" (p. 165). However, they differentiate them on the basis of behaviour and colouration
of polyps. After a study of the type of L. pruinosa PI LLAI, STODDART & MORTEN (unpub!') felt that it
is the same as L. purpurea.