INDO PACIF|C Sel 1777 Pee op 2:Use this text torefine your Pee NA Mace Se ee me 3. ry BRANCHING / PLATES OF BRANCHLETS a WITH AXIAL CORALLITE 1 a NO AXIAL CORALLITE 5 corallites : <2mm.. 283 - corallites cures gaa sae ERM Gand ° - corallites irregular / angular Sasecn 5 a i MEANDERING RIDGES & VALLEYS {any colony shape) CORALLITES WITH SEPARATE WALLS a cre ere 9 0 CORALLITES WITH COMMON OR INDISTINCT WALLS = corallites Lamm - corallites 5-tomm =~ corallites 210mm cS MASSIVE OR THICK COLONIES (excluding meander ng covalites) --corallites with separate walls, : eeCUS Stony corals - Order Scleractinia ost story corals (acep the be te, cigan pipe anc lace corals CF 929) elon to the Order Sdeectnia and ate excushely matine animale Te get he mos: et of your Coral Finder learn the erm and cones in Blue. Costae Wall Septa When seta oss | Thecorallite wall | snglar septum) inewall ofthe | sepratessepta fom | vera hades coalitethey | costae, ardcraite | insce the corals becom costae, | fon clit capliecolite Septocostat When crate wal af absent te dstincion betwee seta uralite was that Cortes with ote with sed separate walle. creommon walls Se Fava CF Sea Favites C15, swindistinet on beet Coates links by septocostae See Pavona CF 52 Be careful rat to mistake soletal ges on he clory surface with corte walls See Pavona C= p7 and Leproserisc¥ pis Points for style Don't be surprised ifthe laa an fe! ofa idertying characteristic suchas sete changes as you les the diferent «oral genera, Te visual may change butte conceass man the sal Coa teminology canbe ck ola, s0 we have inci some pots below 0 get you started. Also check out wecratu fear for @vermioloy rine. Some corlshave seta stuctues —— Vanrucae are maund of leon found ‘onthe clon surface Tisgide wes othe elo irc af Montara ridges, valleys, bumps, ‘CF p2 and Pocilopora Cp bristles, spines 2 granular ‘texture cscs these features. f ou ae keen olen he sedl ters for corse Mantipara CF p22 & Porites CF p22, sea COW £62.65 83 927679 spel “The term immersed describes coats tha i lt th the colony sure Iomatsed oles maybe very sal (rv) & obedient bumps des, See Montizore Fp ‘The inter cralite sirace ray have conamant tier han ate Far example beads /spinules, nal crete orarens on th sutece of me Sekt Seo Echinopora CF pr. Hyrdnophora see CF p16 85 have rsd coralite wal that fom cna fg bumps led monticules, covered in asta. Th pls coalites beeen the ronal Scmetines pa em es there abe the crit. See Glave C5 £8168 Physogyra Cr p27, Branching corals a vrs in form CF Sanding en ern {ables plates of branchlets See CF pl (or 3 & CF p18 4a B ‘coral olny wth sma dnesions in all recon knew 355 massive cata Scot zany om CF pt Ge ‘Meandering $2 1ern to deste ridges eles or alias that cane eis oe’ the colony suas See Fp, Coral Lingo | conat aunpine a.ocks Corals aso sea arerones but Dendrophylia 26 27e Palauastres2e 3 = Dieses 24 Paraclavarina 5 ae Diploastrea W Pavone: 7 12 16c 20 21 22 28 “Disichopord ee _38 _ pectnia ~*~ “Tovemenanin 4 — : mepuegi 5 § Echinpoo 417-18 te“ Petyoyra Echinophylia 719 2c Plerooyra 6c 26 7 Euphylia 626 27 Resasted toe F Fava 1011 14e 1828 Focilopors 2 Fovites_ 131415 - Podobacia Func 24 iyoh ad 6 “Goloee 516 — 0 = Be 7 RD Garineroseis te Keane “a6 21 ae 28 Genasmea ae 8 e131 iecietealin 1S ae Goniopora 28 - S Sandaiolitha 25 Ho Halomnitra Scaponyllia B28 z Hetohureia 26 Hellopora Suimopos 2 Hespolitna 2 _ Siderastes 13 Hemmegathas 26 - eae epaaona 28 2 Hnophore a) - 1 Taciphjlia 636 Tibasies 268 : Turbinaria 7 18 Tubipora 27 29 Z Zoopilus 25 Iso ence ees on ers pees Bont seen ren tenn Bort anacropore_(o)(@) wr gestae? Heer anaes sefer Comments fold at bottom of peoe 1 COTW\V3 p249 = Corals ofthe World Volume 3 page 249 ——> CF p= Carl Finder you're holding) page 3BRANCHING: WITH AXIAL CORALLITE -> THE GENUS ACROPORA Cotony re) Conauun Cuose ur Scaito surrounded by radial Te coralites dierentia coralite VORVUUVEOUUTGOUGGEUUUUUE EEUU VUVOSGTUUTIVIGGGuUee =D comments: ee so Cyphasten decadia COTW V3 p249 which slo has axial coralite; se aso opora CF & 9 Anacropora CF p3 which ae Acropora like but lack an axial coralBRANCHING: NO AXIAL CORALLITE -> CORALLITES <2mm (PART A) aan eg eee easy anAanennnanaenannaeannenananeReReBRANCHING: NO AXIAL CORALLITE -> CORALLITES <2mm (PART B) Couony Conauuites Cuose uP Scaieo Characters tes very small less obvious, ess defined walle than hintapered branches, No axial ¢ re small ix smooth, (1-2mm) bumps wagon wheelike central spike’ ene) wd Oe OS. Comments: see also CF p2 (Part A); se also the nor-scleractinian stony corals Hellopara, Millepora, Distichopora & Stylaster CF p28. coralitecifleresited "BRANCHING: NO AXIAL CORALLITE -> CORALLITES >2mm Cotony s CoseBRANCHING: NO AXIAL CORALLITE -> CORALLITES IRREGULAR / ANGULAR Coton Conatumres Lose uP Scaito CuaRactens rere eroeioay a i form shor, shallow valleys? along face SVSUVVTGUEVVUTUUEUUE stata bumos ridges’. Colites very small (0 Bim), ill def ‘conical bumps called monticules! ight 2s, Thick walled corallites form short valloys tinctve sculpted appearance’. Larger, onticules like PCC SVSV GV OVS Gove sesesvevusydyMEANDERING RIDGES & VALLEYS -> CORALLITES SEPARATE WALLS Couony CorawuiTes Chose uP Sea Cuanacrens single o: short (15min). Regula i bold septacostae ble though small teeth distinguishes Lobophy! ST 1 with separate walls 20-40mm wide. Large spikey septal teeth” can Valleys 15-30mm wide & hidden by tentacles! Septa 2 corallite walls smooth. Tentacle tip Cotalaphytia (oo Pleroayra I Physogy legs! coverec in long tubular tentacles & fleshy oral disc? AnemoneMEANDERING -> CORALLITES COMMON OR INDISTINCT WALLS 1-4mm Coton Corauures Chose up Scaieo Cuaractens i coralites' with hold indistinct walls, Septo costae flow between 1% corallites: Sect y fire granular se Diffeulty seeing ies underwater Shot valley th ‘| distinc: walls cous of coraltes Q-4nm), ‘Septocostac have granular texture flow 1 Septocostae flow between’ coralites with indistinct walls, rr Septocostae flow between corallites th ncsict wal & reinclined to colony | margin’ a ine, ore luld septocostae & © rounded intersalley ridges" comcare to ‘Comments: see also Gardinoseris COTW ¥.2 p22 which has scalloped coralltes that meander weakly, Note: Coscinaraes, Pavona, Leptosers & Psammocors can be confusing for beginners. Go to wv coralhab infienen for tos,MEANDERING -> CORALLITES COMMON OR INDISTINCT WALLS 5-10mm Couony Conauures Cuose ur Merutina from athe Cee eee regular appearance pared to Platyayra forte.MEANDERING -> CORALLITES COMMON OR INDISTINCT WALLS >10mm Covony Conauures Cuose ur Scat Cuaracrens ey "i Soe Wide, thin walled valleys 10-20mm deep. Coral centres ob Septa widely spaced Mf along valley sides floor’ Fewer more fophylia or Symphytla (below =. Valleys mm wide with g sharp / narrow upper edge’ to valley walls. Septa J regular Large valleys 15-35mm wide with fused walls forming | 45 groove along top of wall Septa have large teeth which can be felt seen through tasue. Thick jeshy carpetixe | 17 21 23 large, widely spaced, Sf) blade-tike septaMASSIVE OR THICK -> CORALLITES WITH SEPARATE WALLS <8mm Couony ConALUTES Lose uP intra-tentacular 5 budding o (4-Tmm) & vary in size across the colony due Costae restricted to outer corallite walls, Beaded spinules' cover surface between coral HIMASSIVE OR THICK -> CORALLITES WITH SEPARATE WALLS 8-20mm Conauurres Cuose ur Scateo ‘Cuaracrers " by intra-tentacular budding (wt 13 15 7 19 GIR) serrate ios AEs may thicken’ across coralite wall. New || 24 alites dominantly form oy extea- tentacular budding Learn more at shubinfoterns | AQ form low cones with thik wall i Colour & straight sided polygonal coralits! vety 4 ‘Comments: se also Rarbortoia COTW V3 p132. Note: Favia, Montastres,Favites & Goniestres can be confusing for beginners. Go to ww.corathus,nfoleain fortisMASSIVE OR THICK -> SEPTOCOSTAE FLOW BETWEEN CORALLITES WITH INDISTINCT WALLS . 5 CoLony eee ‘Comments: check for correct scale! Conawues Cuose uP Scaieo valleys between ridges hold groups of fe) very small (nom coralites! with indistinct walls Septocostae flow CHARACTERS between corallites within valleysMASSIVE OR THICK -> CORALLITES WITH COMMON WALLS <6mm CoLony ConauuiTes Ciose uP Scateo Characters Ceres < encrusting o conte oom al ened wal ow irregular corallites (G-6mm). septa contorted / sive walls a neat smooth regular perrenay) Correa Comments: check for correct scale; see alo the non-scleractinian stony coral Millepora CF 923; see also Preuidosicerastrea COTW V.2 p134; see also Siderastrea COTW V.2 p13S) 138.‘common walls Septa with fine to medium teeth V3 0 tal teath and flashier polypMASSIVE OR THICK -> CORALLITES WITH COMMON WALLS >15mm Cotony wrt muddyMASSIVE OR THICK -> COLONY WITH RAISED SURFACE TEXTURES Couony Conatuies Cuose ur Scaieo Characters nies Creer) ey inreguler upright Comments: see also Merutina COTW! V2 p80, Pavona COTW V2 p17S; Peammocora COTW V3 p256Corre cnn) od tubular ragged jee en “a Raa for Ecinophylia see also Oxypora which ha ess well developed coralites (CF p19 & COTW V2 9324) & Mycelium (CE p19 & CoTw v.2p342) which has corals inlined towercs the colony marin. See aso opora COTW V1 piB&THIN PLATES -> VASES OR TIERS (PART A) Couony Conauures Cuose ue Scaiep Cuanacrens. Colonies fo plates, ies & may develop whorls made trom branchlets septocostan’ be inclined? 10 [4 defined corallites VASES OR TIERS (PART B) Couony Conauutes: Cuose uP ScaLeo Cuaracters (mera) shallow & often poorly’ developed parallel valleys with beaded _ Comments: corllites on this page have costae (or beads /spines), ie. septa do extend beyond coralite walls- see Glossary Dk comments ¢FTHIN PLATES -> LEAFY FRONDS OR LETTUCE-LIKE Cotony Conatuires Cuose uP ScAteD CaaRacrens eee 5 c frm parallel mm) wth beaded centreline regular ribs Aaaaanaganagaaae coralites: inclined! edge of th both sides arranged in 10s paral in wrinkled plates with ragged margins’. Raises lst 2 few coarse valleys. Corlltes low set, without walls with smooth, widely spaced septocostae Distinctive. coralites, absence of septocostae’& smooth intercoralice surface dsTHIN PLATES -> SEPTOCOSTAE FLOW BETWEEN CORALLITES WITH INDISTINCT WALLS Couony ConaLures Cuose uP Scaieo Cuaracrers halow 8 witha wails Smooth septocostae flow between coralltes ates inclined: SEPTA SMOOTH Smooth septocostae flow Ts between coralites rallies slightly 2 not inclined: Thin plates with his genus), Granular Hi septocostae flow between corallites prominent primary! septocostac t Coxinaraes ron) pa! overlapping. Granular septocostae flow between coralltes! SEPTA GRANULAR Gerecrrry 21 centres at right angle ‘1, septocostae flow between coralites.THIN PLATES -> CRUMPLED SURFACE TEXTURES Couony Corauutes Close ur Sealeo Cuanacters ra tie) z z « ny small (0.8-1mm) & \ grouped between ridges of skeleton rounded! than Pavona (98 ow) 28 ae coarser! with more Angular ricges than Leptareri (above parallel valleys STE can become tangled? ebewiiere. Coral hhave beaded centreline: Sepia form fine regular ribs! at to adges Comments: see also Psammocora COTW V.2 p45; Cos 1e2 COTW V.2 p58; & Merulina COTW V.2 p376,THIN PLATES -> WITH FINGERS, TUBES OR COLUMNS ARISING DKY Coratures Cuose uP Ean ecoeey BSOLITARY, ISOLATED OR FREE-LIVING CORALS -> DISC-LIKE/ SINGLE MOUTH “J Cotony Conawuites Ciose uP Scarce Cunnactens ares E Lanaanann spines ae fine! No [=< SN! attachment sear on vb i ‘on lower reef slopes or in turbid habitats longer axa large saw-like 24 AN Hhe. : septal teeth, Comments: Furgio and Ceenactis may have severa} mv the axial furrow but are easly distinguished from those genera ‘with many mouths - see CF p25, See also Diaseris COTW V.2 p248-9; Cantharellus COTW V2 p251-3. aSOLITARY, ISOLATED OR FREE-LIVING CORALS -> DISC-LIKE / MANY MOUTHS Copatures Peri! Perera Scaieo Cuaracrers mouths’ over coo tentacles! extended during day ci ‘orate close together ‘Comments: the mushroom corals on this page have distinctive shapes, Herpolitha are like skateboards while the others often take the form of inverted bowls, For more information on solitary versus colonial corals go to: wu) cara} intoitorn 29SOLITARY, ISOLATED OR FREE-LIVING CORALS -> OTHERS Covony ConaLuTEs. Cuose uP SeAuiD CHARACTERS Caen FREE-LIVING Rll Anemone:lie: Colour SOLITARY / ATTACHED 26 JUVENILES ‘Comments: Cynarina ® Evphyiila can be free-living or attached soe sis cor alhul in fo/ter"s For more tnfor mation Note: coves may contain single or lated coralites of Tubostrea & Dendlaphylia see COTW V2 9385-7FLOWER-LIKE GRAPE-LIKE ANEMONE-LIKE LARGE DAYTIME EXPANDED POLYPS Couony Conauuires C1ose uP Scaueo nes Fleshy everike polyps with 12 tentacles extended day & eton ight vered by grape slike polyp vesicles fused valley walls th large prot blade-ke septa th separate daytime grape-tike vesicles’ meandering valleys Sor stalks yh separate s Large anemene- lke tentacles © day £ night, wth tps thot vary in shape © sitar, targe anemone > ike tentacles, exter Tovanomy tentacles & hea ong tubular ten fesny ora ie | rearene ‘Siu 27 Comments; genera with grape-ike vesicles (Physogyra & Plerogyra) also have tentacles extended at night; see also the notescleractinian stony coral Tubipora CF p29; see also Tubastrea & Dendrophyilia COTW V.2 p385-7; Cynarina COTW ¥.3 pA2-3 & CF p26.COLUMNS Covony eer cn eed ere) Cohen Coratures without walls (2 4mm). Well defi (1-2mm), without (CF pi but lacks a discrete axial # polyps bearing 24 rfBLUE, FIRE, ORGAN PIPE & LACE CORALS - SEE COMMENTS FIELD BELOW ConALLTE EQUIVALEN Cuose uP COI eN Cee eee ee branching, like oF columnar Hiaa = et WATCH