Characters: Colonies are usually less than 0.3 metres across, massive to encrusting and usually form flattened domes. Septa are neatly arranged in two alternating orders that do not fuse with the columella. Columellae and pali are both well developed.
Colour: Tentacles are darker than the surrounding coenosteum and are extended day and night. If the colony is touched, tentacles promptly retract and the colony pales slightly.
Similar Species: Similar to submassive Madracis.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments, especially surge channels.
Abundance: Sometimes common, rare in Brazil.
Taxonomic Note: Commonly spelt michelinii. However, the most supported spelling, michelini, is that of the first accepted revision of Haime and Milne Edwards (1857).
Taxonomic References: Laborel (1969); Cairns (1982); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Humann (2002);
