Favia stelligera
Dana, 1846
Description: Colonies are spherical, columnar, hillocky or flat and may be several metres across. Corallites are evenly distributed and conical, with thick walls and small openings. Costae are equal and well developed. Those of adjacent corallites do not join. A crown of paliform lobes is usually clearly visible.
Color: Uniform brown or green.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments where water movement is strong.
Abundance: Common.
Similar Species: Does not resemble other Favia and growth-form alone makes this species distinctive underwater. Montastrea species all have larger corallites and extratentacular budding. Of these, M. salebrosa is most similar but forms massive colonies and has corallites with numerous closely compacted corallites. See also Plesiastrea versipora, which also has extratentacular budding.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Wijsman-Best (1972), Veron, Pichon and Wijsman-Best (1977). Identification guides: Randall and Myers (1983), Veron (1986), Sheppard and Sheppard (1991), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
This species forms tall columns unlike any other Favia. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Ed Lovell
An encrusting colony. Sinai Peninsula, Egypt Photograph: Charlie Veron
A common colony shape. Philippines Photograph: Valerie Taylor
Corallite detail. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Valerie Taylor
Showing the characteristically uniform appearance of corallites, giving colonies an even surface. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.