Characters: Colonies are submassive to encrusting. Corallites are moderately tall, conical and moderately compact. They usually have 8 primary septa although this varies among corallites. Coenosteum spinules are conspicuous.
Colour: Brown, cream or green, sometimes other colours. Septa are commonly white.
Similar Species: Virtually identical to Cyphastrea microphthalma except for the presence of 8 instead of 10 primary septa.
Habitat: Reef slopes.
Abundance: Unknown but possibly common.
Taxonomic Note: This nominal species is identified by its 8 primary septa which are visible underwater. It is similar to Cyphastrea microphthalma which has slightly smaller corallites and 10 primary septa. Distinction of C. kausti is effectively based on a single character, the presence of eight primary septa, which may be part of a continuum with C. microphthalma.
Taxonomic References: Bouwmeester, Benzoni, Baird et al. (2015);
