831 species

Echinopora gemmacea

(Lamarck, 1816)

Echinopora

Lamarck, 1816

Characters: Colonies are laminar and bifacial, submassive or encrusting, sometimes forming contorted branches. Corallites are 3.5-4.5 millimetres diameter. Columellae are large, and paliform lobes are not well developed. Primary septa may be thick and are always exsert.

Colour: Usually grey, sometimes pale cream to dark brown or green.

Similar Species: Echinopora horrida, which has similar corallite characters but is usually branching whereas E. gemmacea is usually laminar. See also E. hirsutissima.

Habitat: Shallow protected reef environments.

Abundance: Usually uncommon.

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