Dr. John Edward Norwood "Charlie" Veron, Australien
Info
“From Veron, J.E.N. Corals of the World.”
Halomitra pileus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Characters: Colonies are large, free-living, thin and delicate, and circular, dome or bell-shaped. They have no axial furrow. Corallites are widely spaced and increase in size as the colony grows. In small colonies, septo-costae radiate in a fan from the initial point of growth or are perpendicular to the colony margin, in which case they form distinct lines of demarcation.
Septa have teeth similar to those of Fungia fungites. Tentacles of mature colonies are extended only at night; those of juvenile colonies are commonly extended during the day.
Colour: Pale brown, frequently with bright pink or purple margins. Corallite centres are commonly white.
Habitat: Middle to lower reef slopes protected from wave action and lagoons on soft substrates.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar species: Zoopilus echinatus
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Pichon (1980), Hoeksema (1989). Additional identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Halomitra pileus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Characters: Colonies are large, free-living, thin and delicate, and circular, dome or bell-shaped. They have no axial furrow. Corallites are widely spaced and increase in size as the colony grows. In small colonies, septo-costae radiate in a fan from the initial point of growth or are perpendicular to the colony margin, in which case they form distinct lines of demarcation.
Septa have teeth similar to those of Fungia fungites. Tentacles of mature colonies are extended only at night; those of juvenile colonies are commonly extended during the day.
Colour: Pale brown, frequently with bright pink or purple margins. Corallite centres are commonly white.
Habitat: Middle to lower reef slopes protected from wave action and lagoons on soft substrates.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar species: Zoopilus echinatus
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Pichon (1980), Hoeksema (1989). Additional identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
