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EC 514 is plate-like, apparently growing in a horizontal position_ Two thick columns are fused together
to form a plate-like structure. The basal part is narrower than the top. Total height 16 cm, maximum
thickness 2 cm. Corallites not projecting at the top of the columns but up to I mm elevated at the basal
partS of the corallum. Calices rounded, 2.5 to 3 mm in diameter. Total number of septa 30 to 40. Columella
styliform.
PW 73 314 is composed of a cluster of branches similar to P. pollicata WELLS . It is infested by Vermites
tubes. Height of branches (columns) 6 to 9 cm , width 1 to 2 cm , about the same thickness at the top.
Corallites close together at the top of the columns, 1.5 to 2 mm in diameter with 18 to 20 septa. Wall
not projecting. At the sides and lower part of the corallum the coraUites are wide apart, neatly rounded,
wall only slightly projecting or level. Septa alternating, total number up to 30.
Material:
Gulf of Aqaba; Jerus. SLR 357- 1 (Marsa Murach).
Basel PW 71314 (Eilat, 40 m) .
'orthern R. S.: HLM EC 514 (Ras Abu Hagar).
Central R. S.: P. Sud. Sa 87,97 (Sa nganeb R.).
Dis t rib uti 0 n : Red Sea ; Seychelles; Maldives; Minicoy; Nicobars ; East Indies; Palau IsIs .; Marshall
IsIs. ; Tahiti.
Rem ark s: We have several specimens from Red Sea , Maldives and Nicobars, that we could study.
We have also studied some specimens in Cambridge University, Zoology Museum, discussed by MATTHAI
(1948). It seems to us, that P. pol/icata and P. maldivensis are only growthforms as considered by MATTHAI
(1948), though WELLS (1954) named part of MATTHAI'S material as pol/icata under subgenus Pseudocolumnastrea.
In the present specimens, though in some cases they fully agree to WELLS' figure of his
pollicata, we have not observed any paliform lobes that are characteristic of the subgenus Pseudocolumnastrea.
Therefor we believe that P. (Pseudocolumnastrea) pollicata should be synonymized with
P. maldivensis (GA RDINER ).
Pavon ia
Pavona
TieboseMS
Pllvona (Poly·
astra)
Pavona divaricata LAMARCK , 1816
(Plate 2 1. Figs.. 4 . 5)
divariCllra 1816. LAMARCK. 240 (Type locality: Indian Ocean).
1846, DANA. 327. pI. 2216.
ditxn'icllla 1922. v. d. HORST, 419.
1924, MATTHAI. SS .
1925, HOFFME ISTER. 38; pI. 2130. b.
1936, YASE. SUGIYAMA & EGUCHI , 56; pI. 40/4.
1964, SCHEER, 616: figs. 6. 7.
1974, PILLAI & SCHEER, 457; fig. 3b.
1980, HEAD. 149. 448.
angulosa 1889. ORTMANN, SIS : pl. 14/7.
venosa vat.
arbuscula 1939. UMBGROVE. 48 : pI. 15 / 1- 5.
The occurrence of P. divaricata in the Red Sea was first reported by SCHEER ( 1964) from the Wingate
Reef, Port Sudan. More specimens were later obtained and on the whole we have seven specimens that we
place under this species. The corallum is branching. branches 1 to 1.5 cm broad at the top, narrower at
the base, height varies from 1 to 3 cm, apices acute. Carinae well developed , sharp. Calices 1 to 1.5 mm
in diameter, rarely 2 mm , arranged in rows. 14 to 20 septa within a calyx, slightly alternating in size;
edges and sides granular. Ambulacra thick , rounded at the top. The above description is based on RM 47.
Materi a l :
Gulf of Aqaba:
Central R. S.:
J erus.
T. Aviv
Basel
HLM
P. Sud.
HLM
SLR
NS
PW
EC
Sa
RM
1247- 1 (Fara'un Isl.).
6106 (Eilat).
73 654 (EI Kura).
1376 (Djiddah).
11 (Sanganeb R.).
47, 47a (Wingate R.).