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Platygyra sinensis
Also known as Brain Coral, colonies of P. sinensis are massive or flat and usually fully meandroid, with thin walls. Septa are thin and slightly exsert. Columellae are weakly developed and there are no columella centers. Color: A variety of dull or bright colors. Similar species: Platygyra ryukyuensis. Resembles Goniastrea favulus underwater.
Found on coral and rocky reefs away from surge zones. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
Characters: Colonies are massive or flat and usually fully meandroid, with thin walls. Septa are thin and slightly exsert. Columellae are weakly developed and there are no columella centres. Colour: A variety of dull or bright colours. Similar species: Platygyra ryukyuensis. Resembles Goniastrea favulus underwater. Habitat: Most reef environments, especially back reef margins. Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Wijsman-Best (1972), Chevalier (1975), Veron, Pichon and Wijsman-Best (1977). Additional identification guides: Sheppard and Sheppard (1991), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Spotted on Jan 15, 2012
Submitted on Jan 16, 2012
