Madracis formosa
Wells, 1973
Description: Colonies are usually columnar. The columns are club-shaped, sometimes divide, and are slightly flattened in section. Corallites are widely separated, circular in outline, with a solid conical columella. Eight primary septa are distinctive. The coenosteum has fine spinules.
Color: Usually green with yellow oral discs.
Habitat: Lower reef slopes protected from wave action.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Madracis decactis and M. mirabilis, both of which have 10 primary septa.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Wells (1973b), Zlatarski and Estalella (1982). Identification guides: Colin (1978), Humann (1993).
A large colony of compact, flattened, branches. Cayman Islands Photograph: Paul Humann
Branch tips with tentacles partly extended. Honduras Photograph: Paul Humann
Showing flattened branches. Cayman Islands Photograph: Nancy Sefton
This image not used in COTW
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Detail of a branch. Cayman Islands Photograph: Paul Humann
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.