831 species

Parascolymia australis

(Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848)

Parascolymia

Wells, 1964

Characters: Usually solitary but sometimes two to four centres occur in one corallite, or occasionally in separate corallites. Corallites are saucer-shaped and less than 60 millimetres diameter. Septa are sturdy with blunt saw-like teeth.

Colour: Colourful, usually mixtures of cream, red, blue and green.

Similar Species: Scolymia cubensis. Parascolymia vitiensis is mostly larger and not cup-shaped.

Habitat: Reef environments or on rocky headlands in high latitudes.

Abundance: Relatively common in subtropical localities, uncommon elsewhere.

Taxonomic Note: Previously placed in genus Scolymia. Rarely occurs in tropical Australia where it is difficult to distinguish from other Parascolymia.

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