Lobophyllia flabelliformis
Veron, 2000
Description: Colonies are large, usually dome-shaped. They are flabello-meandroid with closely compacted elongate valleys. Despite a robust appearance, large colonies readily break apart. Polyps have a thick fleshy mantle which obscures the underlying skeletal structure and thus this species appears to be a Symphyllia underwater. If the mantle is touched it retracts revealing the underlying growth-form, where valleys have no walls in common. The mantle is covered with elongate papillae that may resemble tentacles.
Color: Uniform dark grey-brown.
Habitat: Most shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar Species: Lobophyllia robusta, which does not have such a completely flabello-meandroid growth-form.
Taxonomic note: See ‘New species described in Corals of the World’ (Veron, in preparation) for further information. Source reference: Veron (2000).
Large colonies are superficially Symphyllia-like. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Colony with fully expanded polyps. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Usual appearance of a small colony. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing a valley.
If the colony surface is touched the mantle contracts, showing that adjacent corallites do not have common walls. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron