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Updated 9/9/2021

Family Faviidae

This is a large group with several genera that have been recently split into five families.  Positive identification of many species is impossible without skeletal examination.  Most are encrusting or massive with large circular or hexagonal calices and strong septal walls, others are brain-like with indistinct calices within sinuous valleys.  They occupy a variety of habitats from estuaries and lagoons to clear outer reefs.

All coral skeletons illustrated are from scientific collections taken prior to 1998.

INDO-PACIFIC

Favia favus

FAVIA

 

 
   
   
   
   
   

WESTERN ATLANTIC

Pseudodiploria strigosa

SYMMETRICAL BRAIN CORAL

Colpophyllia natans

BOULDER BRAIN CORAL

 

Pseudodiploria clivosa

KNOBBY BRAIN CORAL

 

Diploria labyrinthiformis

GROOVED BRAIN CORAL

Solenastrea bournoni

SMOOTH STAR CORAL

 

Favia fragum

GOLFBALL CORAL

Isophyllia rigida

RIGID CACTUS CORAL

 

Isophyllia sinuosa

SINUOUS CACTUS CORAL

Mussa angulosa

SPINY FLOWER CORAL

 

Scolymia cubensis

ARTICHOKE CORAL

 

Mycetophyllia ferox

ROUGH CACTUS CORAL

 

Mycetophyllia danaana

LOW-RIDGE CACTUS CORAL

 

Mycetophyllia aliciae

KNOBBY CACTUS CORAL

 

Mycetophyllia lamarckiana

RIDGED CACTUS CORAL

Manicina areolata

ROSE CORAL