831 species

Cynarina lacrymalis

(Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848)

Cynarina

Brüggemann, 1877

Characters: Corals are monocentric, oval or circular, and are cylindrical with a base for attachment, or have a pointed base when free-living. Primary septa are thick and have extremely large, rounded or lobed teeth. Paliform lobes are usually well developed. Columellae are broad and compact. Tentacles are extended only at night. During the day the mantle is inflated with water and is translucent so that the toothed primary septo-costae are clearly visible. In conditions of low light the mantle may be over twice the diameter of the skeleton.

Colour: Usually mixtures of green or brown, but may be pink and sometimes other colours. Colours over the primary septa radiate like to spokes of a wheel.

Similar Species: Closest to Indophyllia macassarensis.

Habitat: Protected reef environments and deep sandy substrates.

Abundance: Seldom common but always conspicuous.

Taxonomic Note: Closest to Acanthophyllia deshayesiana and may be mistaken for Indophyllia macassarensis and Parascolymia vitiensis in situ.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change