Echinophyllia orpheensis
Veron and Pichon, 1980
Description: Colonies are less than 0.5 metres across and submassive, becoming laminar around the periphery. Corallites are exsert except at the periphery. Costae are thick and beaded. Paliform lobes are usually well developed.
Color: Usually cream, reddish or pale brown, sometimes with green centres.
Habitat: Most reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar Species: Echinophyllia aspera, which has smaller corallites without thick beaded costae. Can be mistaken for the faviid Barabattoia amicorum.
Taxonomic note: This species is divisible into several smaller semi-distinct taxonomic units. Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Pichon (1980). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A large colony. Houtman Abrolhos Islands, south-west Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallites have thick walls and thick beaded costae. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Ed Lovell
Tentacles extended. Scott Reef, Western Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. A single corallite.