Cyphastrea agassizi
Vaughan, 1907
Description: Colonies are massive. The surface is often deeply grooved. Corallites are widely spaced. Septa are in three unequal orders with the first order being exsert. The coenosteum between the corallites is usually smooth. Irregular ‘groove and tubercle’ formations may be present.
Color: The coenosteum is whitish, corallites are pale brown or green. Septa are sometimes orange.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Cyphastrea ocellina, which has smaller, more crowded corallites. See also C. japonica and Leptastrea inaequalis, which have more crowded corallites with thicker walls.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Vaughan’s original description/specimens. Identification guide: Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Surface detail. Cebu, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
A small massive colony. Calamian Islands, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
This pic not in COTW
and has no caption.
Surface detail. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
