PDF - Eprints@CMFRI

55
There are two specimens in the present collection. They are composed of crowded clusters of repeatedly
dividing branches, that undergo fusion. The lower part is dead, total height in one 8 cm, in the other
only the living zone is preserved and is 4 cm high. Calices 0.5 to 0 .7 5 mm in diameter. Septa 12 , primaries
subequal. Calices about 1 mm apart. The wall at the lower half of the corallite projects in the form of
papillae. Under the lens the coenenchyme reveals a fine reticulum with slender spines that give a rough
appearance to the coral.
Ma terial:
Gulf of Suez: T . Avi v S 8678,8684 (EI Bilaiyim).
Dis tr i but ion: Red Sea ; Cook Islands (STODDART & PILLAI, 1973 ).
R em ark s : The present specimens agree to the type in Berlin Museum (No. 2137). It is very likely
that the present species is only a skeletal variation of M. circumvallata. The absence of free papillae is the
major difference from M. circumvallata as is pointed out by KLUNZINGER .
Porites
Montipora
Madrepom
Montipora
Porites
Montipora
Montipora circulllvallata (EHRENBERG), 1834
( Plat~ 11, Figs. 1. 2)
circumval1Qta 1834. EHR ENBERG. 339 (Type locaJity : Red Sea).
circumvallata 1897. BERNARD, 87 (synonymy),
1906. v. MARENZELLER, 62: pl~ 21170: 23170a.
1967. SCHEER. 426.
19S0. HEAD. 14S. +46.
ahrotanoides IS2S. AUDOUIN (& SAVIGNV). 55 , pI. 4/4 .
abrotanoides 1897. BERNARD, 110 (synonymy).
crista galli IS34. EHRENBERG. 340.
crista galli 1860. MJu.'lE EDWARDS (& HAIME ), 211.
IS79. KLUNZINGER 2. J4 : pls. 516,6/1: 1015.
IS97. BERNARD. 84.
1967. NEMENZO. 17, pl. 5/ 1.
denSQ 1906. v. MARENZELLER. 62; pI. 21 /69. 69a.
mO,taSleriata 1879. KLUNZINCER 2, H i pls. 519:6/ 2; 10/6 (non FORSKAL).
nudiceps 1879, KlUNZINGER 2. 33 .
The material we place under this species superficially looks like a heterogeneous assemblage. In general
the growthform is ramose, but some are arborescent and others are tufted cespitose with coalescent
branches, sometimes fusing to semi-solid masses. We take a few examples to describe the skeletal variation.
EC 357 is semi-arborescent with a total height of 12 cm and greater spread of 18 cm. The main branch
divides to form many branches, upper branchlets either digitiform or a little flattened as in some specimens
of M. divaricata. The calices at the lower branches and main divisions small , average 0.5 mm in diameter,
bur larger and more conspicuous at the distal parts of the branches, where they are 0.7 to 0.8 mm in
diameter. Sepra in twO cycles, primaries often meet at the centre of the fossa. The lower part of the
calices possesses projecting papillae either in the form of a crescent or in some cases they form a ring
around the calyx, I to 1.5 mm thick and high . The papillae resemble the labellate corallites of some
Acroporae, particularly A. millepora. At certain parts the papillae are free , that is without close relation
to calices, and they are conical, I to 2 mm thick at the base and just so in height. Two or three such
papillae may fuse to form excrescences bearing calices, giving a rough appearance to the branch surface.
EC 356 is also arborescent. But in this specimen the papillae are sometimes up to 3 mm thick and high .
At the lower part of the main divisions papillae are not developed and the surface looks smooth.
These two specimens differ from others in the collectio n in having arborescent coralla with well
developed papillae. They agree in several respects to BER ARD's description of M. abrotanoides.
NS 8405 has a cespitose corallum with branches expanding towards the top and fusing each other to
form flat plates. The top of the branches bears smaller crispate branchlets. Calices 0.5 to 0.6 mm in diameter,
I to 1.5 mm apart; septa 12 . At the older parts of the branches papillae are not well formed. In
younger parts rhe lower wall of the coralli tes project , giving a nariform appearance. They are 1 to 1.5 mm
in height and thickness at the base.