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T. Aviv Ns 6109 (Eilat, 25 m).
Basel (without I 0 and locality).
Northern R. S.: HLM X2: 3- 17,24, 25 (Guballsl., IS m).
HLM EC 282 ( Ras Abu Hagar).
US NM Wa 5,6 (Ghard aqa).
Central R. S.: P. Sud. Sa 1 (Sanganeb R.).
HLM RM 4 , 4a, 6 1 (Wingate R.).
Southern R. S.: HLM X2 : 10- 11 (Sarso Isl.).
Dis t rib ut i 0 n : Widely distributed from Red Sea along the East coast of Africa to Fiji, but nOt
known from Lakshadweep or the Southeast coast of India.
Genus Pocillopora LAMARCK , 1816
Types species: Pocillopora acuta LAMARCK , 1816.
G e n e ric c h a r ac t e r s : Ramose or subramose. Coenosteum solid. Surface with verrucae bearing
calices. Septa and col umella as a rule poorly developed.
Within the genus the various species described in literature appear to be not well defined, the characteristics
of most of the so-called species being that of the genus. The growthform, size of branches and
verrucae, degree of development of septa and columella and coenenchymal ornamentation are all subjected
to wide variation due to macro and micro habitats. When we understand the skeletal variations within the
species as a result of future studies on reef, it is likely t hat many of the described species turn out to be
only skeletal variants.
Previous records of Pocillopora from Red Sea include P. [avosa , P. bempricbi and P. danae (WELLS in
LOVA & SLOBODKIN, 1971). We consid er (PILLA! & SCHEER, 1976) P. [avosa EHRENBE RG the same as
P. damicornis. P. bempricbi and P. danae , we agree with VERO & PICHON (1976), are o nly skeletal
variants of P. verru cosa. These two species known from Red Sea can be separated as follows:
I . Corallum cespitose, branches rounded at the base, more or less I cm in diameter, tips digitiform or
expanded . Verrucae irregular, scattered . Cal ices more or less 1 mm in diameter. Septa and columella
moderately developed . . . .... . . . .. .. . ... . . . .. . .. . . .. .. .. ... . . . . .... . . .. . . P. damicornis
2. Branches expanding towards the top, flat, broad. Verrucae 4 to 7 mm high and thick, ascend ing.
Corallites polygonal, 1 to 1.5 mm in length. Septa and columella poorly developed . . . . . P. verru cOSa
Pocillopora damicornis (LINNAEUS), 1758
Millepora
Pocillopora
(Plate 4, Fig. 9)
damicornis 1758, LlNNAEUS, 791 (Type locality : Asiatic Oenn).
damiconru 1846. DANA. 527; pI. 49/1, 7a.
bulbosa
cespilOSQ
favoSil
1888. FAUROT. 119.
1925 . HOFFMEISTER. IS ; pI. 1/ 1 (synonymy).
1936 . VASE. SUGIYAMA & EGUCHI . 12, pI. 4/3- 5.
1974. SCHEE R & PllLAI. 13 (synonymy ).
1976. PI LLAI & SCHEER, 21.
1976. V ERON & PICHON. 41: figs. 52- 68 (synonymy).
1980. HEAD, 148, 443.
1834. EHRENBERG, 351.
1846. DANA, 527; pI. 49/6, 611..
1936. VADE. SUGIYAMA & EGUCHI, 13 ; p1 5. 5/4 : 7/ 1.
1846 . DANA, S2S :pl. 491S, Sa.
1936. YARE, SUGIYAMA & EGUCHI, 13 ; pi s. 5/ 3; 7/ 2.
1834. EHRENBERG, 351.
1876. HAECKEL. 45, pI. 2/8.
18 79. KLUNZINGER 2, 68; pi s. 7/2; 8/10.
1906, y . MARENZELLER, 77.
1954. ROSS I, 30.
1967. SC HEER. 423.