831 species

Manicina areolata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Manicina

Ehrenberg, 1834

Characters: Colonies are either free-living or attached; the former have a cone-shaped undersurface. Small colonies are oval shaped and consist of a central axial valley with short side valleys. Larger colonies are hemispherical and meandroid. There is a conspicuous ambulacral groove along the tops of valley walls. Septa are thick and even.

Colour: Usually uniform pale orange-brown but may be a variety of browns, greys and greens with contrasting colours of valleys and walls.

Similar Species: Colpophyllia natans. Small colonies resemble Diploria labyrinthiformis and the species generally resembles Trachyphyllia geoffroyi.

Habitat: Subtidal seagrass beds where colonies are small and free-living, also shallow reef environments where colonies are attached and become hemispherical.

Abundance: Usually uncommon.

Taxonomic Note: Very distinct species.

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