Characters: Colonies are massive to encrusting. Corallites are cylindrical, separated only by a groove. Septa are in three cycles, the longest being distinctive and exsert. ‘Groove and tubercle’ formations are sometimes well developed.
Colour: White or cream with darker calices.
Similar Species: Leptastrea inaequalis, which has corallites of similar size, but these are barrel-shaped, more exsert, usually have extensive ‘groove and tubercle’ formations and have few, if any, third cycle septa. L. transversa has relatively compacted angular corallites and almost equal first and second cycle septa.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Taxonomic Note: Easily confused with Leptastrea inaequalis.
Taxonomic References: Wijsman-Best (1980); Veron and Pichon (1982); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Pichon, Benzoni, Chaineau et al. (2010);
