Lesser Star Coral

zooxanthellate

This species has small calices, usually 3 to 4 mm diameter. Calices are deep and have thin, sharp walls. Septa alternate strongly, and all the first order septa bear a tall, thin paliform lobe. The species occurs on reef slopes, preferring shallow water. It is always found on reef flats and in areas where water temperatures and salinity may be elevated. (Sheppard, 1998 ) Colonies are massive or columnar. Calices are 3.5 mm in diameter and four- to six-sided. Septa clearly alternate and are thin and straight with well-developed thin paliform lobes. Colour: cream or pale brown, occasionally brown, pink or green. Abundance: common and usually a dominant of intertidal habitats. Subtidal colonies frequently exceed 1 m in diameter. (Veron, 1986 ) Grows into domed, massive colonies of up to 1 m, commonly less than 50 cm across, but can be dominant on shallow reefs. Corallites are recessed, usually 3-4 mm across, and irregularly arranged in honeycomb pattern with a clear septo-costal structure. Colour: usually pale in colour, ranging from cream to orange, pink, green or dark brown. Habitat: common in eulittoral pools and can withstand considerable exposure at low tide. (Richmond, 1997)