831 species

Astrea curta

Dana, 1846

Astrea

Lamarck, 1801

Characters: Colonies are spherical, columnar or flattened. Corallites are circular and widely spaced to closely compacted. The width of calices varies greatly, this variation mostly occurring between, rather than within, colonies. Long and short septa alternate. Small paliform lobes are usually developed.

Colour: Cream or orange on reef flats, often with colours concentric to the oral discs. Usually dark brown when in shaded habitats.

Similar Species: Paramontastraea salebrosa, which has smaller more exsert corallites. See also Favia stelligera.

Habitat: Shallow environments, especially reef flats.

Abundance: Common.

Taxonomic Note: A species complex.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: Changed genus designation from Montastrea/Montastraea curta