Acanthastrea echinata (Dana, 1846)

Samiei, Jahangir Vajed, Dab, Koosha, Ghezellou, Parviz & Shirvani, Arash, 2013, Some scleractinian corals (Scleractinia: Anthozoa) of Larak Island, Persian Gulf, Zootaxa 3636 (1), pp. 101-143 : 139-140

Acanthastrea echinata (Dana, 1846)

( Fig. 38–39 )

Material: ZUTC Cnid. 1030, colony fragment, Larak Island, 26° 53' 0.7" N, 56° 20' 51.3" E, Coll. J. Vajed Samiei, November 2010.

Identification guide: Veron (2000)

Notes for local identification: Colonies are light or dark brown. The fleshy tissue masks the underlying septal teeth. The retraction of polyps during the day form concentric folds.

Abundance: Uncommon.

Depth of occurrence: About 3 m.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Acanthastrea echinata, a & c, variation of exoskeleton; b, close up of corallites; d, underwater photograph.

FIGURE 39. Acanthastrea echinata, a & c, underwater photographs of different colonies; b, underwater photograph of polyps; d, retracted polyps after stimulating by hand.