taxonID	type	description	language	source
C10E319982B059A0B3FF1BEB51595C49.taxon	description	Figs 2, 3,, 5, 6, 7	en	Benzoni, Francesca (2025): A new reef-dwelling coral, Pavona giannii sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae), with an overview of the skeletal morphology of the type specimens of the genus Pavona. ZooKeys 1260: 123-147, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1260.167263
C10E319982B059A0B3FF1BEB51595C49.taxon	description	Description. Colonial, corallum encrusting with attached margins, growing on the underlying substrate and broadly following its surface relief (Figs 2 – 4, 6, 7); maximum observed thickness 1 cm. Corallum surface smooth and devoid of ridges, crests, monticules or hydnophorae (Figs 2 B – D, 3, 4). Corallites crowded, less than a corallite diameter apart, and thamnasteroid in arrangement (Figs 2 B – D, 3, 4, 5 A – F). Budding intratentacular, locally leading to the formation of variably developed corallites series by repeated incomplete separation of walls after budding. Their outline is variable even within the same colony ranging from elliptical to kidney-shaped (Fig. 3 H), polygonal (Fig. 3 F) or irregular (Figs 2 C, 3 C). Corallites 2.4 mm (± 0.1 SE) in average maximum diameter and 1.7 mm (± 0.1 SE) in average minimum diameter. On average, 23 septa (± 1 SE) occur per corallite (Table 1), the 6 S 1 reaching the columella, their inner margin fusing with it; their average length is 0.9 mm (Table 1). Septa arranged in three orders (Fig. 5 G, K, L), those of the first and second (S 1 and S 2, respectively) sub-equal in thickness and length, all attaining the same height (Fig. 5 J – L). S 2 may reach the columella or remain slightly shorter either with free margin or occasionally fusing with the columella more deeply in the fossa. Third order septa (S 3) are always present, almost complete. S 3 septa are less than ½ of S 1 and S 2 in length (Fig. 5 J, K), never reaching the columella, and are thinner and shorter in height than S 1 – 2 (Fig. 5 L). Septal sides of S 1 and S 2 ornamented with scattered blunt granules, S 3 sides smooth (Fig. 5 J – L). Synapticulae connecting radial element lateral sides horizontally can be visible in less densely calcified specimens (Fig. 5 B, C, E). S 1 and S 2 upper margins flush, flattened and running parallel to corallum surface giving it an overall even appearance (Figs 2 D, 5 C, F). Where corallite series occur, radial elements run beyond the series shared wall to the adjacent series, perpendicularly to its axis (transparent pink dashed lines in Figs 2 C, 3 A – F, H, 5 A – C, J). Above the shared wall, they are mostly parallel, their upper margin flattened and flush with the corallum surface (Fig. 5 C). Viewed from above, the radial elements running over the adjacent corallite series shared wall resemble frets over a guitar fingerboard (Fig. 5 J), their ladder-like arrangement identical to that usually observed over the ridges forming in other congeners (Veron and Pichon 1980: figs 21, 24). Columella present, solid and made of a single blunt process its tip sitting lower than the upper septal margin (Fig. 5 D – I). Maximum and minimum average columella diameter 0.5 and 0.2 mm, respectively (Table 1). Columella transverse section below the tip shape ranging from circular to elongated and dash-like in outline. Typically, polyp tentacles are extended in the daytime; therefore, coenosarc, tentacle, oral disc, and mouth coloration is usually visible in situ. Living tissue surrounding the mouth orifice and the oral disc is white (Figs 6 D – G, 7) to light grey (Fig. 2 A). Tentacles commonly white, giving colony surface a bearded appearance (Figs 2 A, 6 A – F, 7). Occasionally, tentacles can also be light green or brown (Fig. 6 A), seldom brown (Fig. 7 C). The coenosarc is typically brown (Figs 2 A, 6 A, C, D, F, G, 7 A, B) to savora mustard yellow (Fig. 6 B, E).	en	Benzoni, Francesca (2025): A new reef-dwelling coral, Pavona giannii sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae), with an overview of the skeletal morphology of the type specimens of the genus Pavona. ZooKeys 1260: 123-147, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1260.167263
C10E319982B059A0B3FF1BEB51595C49.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named after Giambattista J. d. C. Benzoni, known as Gianni (1946 - 2024) for his unconditional support throughout my personal and professional life, and the graceful pride he took in being a coral taxonomist’s father.	en	Benzoni, Francesca (2025): A new reef-dwelling coral, Pavona giannii sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae), with an overview of the skeletal morphology of the type specimens of the genus Pavona. ZooKeys 1260: 123-147, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1260.167263
C10E319982B059A0B3FF1BEB51595C49.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Pavona giannii sp. nov. is a reef-dwelling species known from multiple localities north and south of the equator in the tropical Indian Ocean (Fig. 1). This species can be part of shallow water coral reef communities occurring in well-lit conditions between 1 and 15 m depth. It can encrust blocks of coral rubble, dead coral colonies or limestone, and can also grow on non-carbonate bedrock as observed in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. There, Pavona giannii sp. nov. seasonally withstands the low temperature and nutrient rich waters brought by the summer Arabian Sea upwelling (Sheppard and Sheppard 1991). These recurrent conditions limit coral reef formation and select the scleractinian taxa able to withstand a pseudo-high latitude effect (Benzoni et al. 2003, 2012).	en	Benzoni, Francesca (2025): A new reef-dwelling coral, Pavona giannii sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae), with an overview of the skeletal morphology of the type specimens of the genus Pavona. ZooKeys 1260: 123-147, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1260.167263
