Favites spinosa
Klunzinger, 1879
Description: Colonies are small, massive and rounded. Corallites are deeply excavated, with angular walls. Septa are straight, widely spaced and are usually in two alternating orders. Paliform lobes are weakly developed. Septa have very prominent teeth, which have ragged margins. Columellae are small and compact.
Color: Walls are off-white, centres are dark.
Habitat: A wide range of reef environments.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Favites acuticollis. See also F. flexuosa, which has much larger corallites and usually less spiny septa. Can be confused with Acanthastrea species (Mussidae), especially A. subechinata, underwater.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Klunzinger's original description/specimens.
An encrusting colony. Seychelles Photograph: Charlie Veron
Angular corallites with a rough surface. Sri Lanka Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Corallite detail. Seychelles Photograph: Charlie Veron