831 species

Symphyllia radians

Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849

Symphyllia

Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848

Characters: Colonies are hemispherical to flat. Valleys average 20-25 millimetres wide, and are irregularly meandroid, becoming straight in flat colonies. Walls have a moderately thick fleshy appearance and usually have a groove along the top.

Colour: A wide range of red, grey and green, with valleys and walls usually of contrasting colours. Red Sea colonies are usually cream.

Similar Species: Symphyllia radians has valleys and septa intermediate in size between the smaller S. recta and the larger S. agaricia. S. recta has more sinuous valleys, S. agaricia has a double row of columellae.

Habitat: Upper reef slopes and fringing reefs.

Abundance: Common.

Taxonomic Note: A species complex.

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