Craterastrea
Head, 1983, p. 428
The monotypic genus Craterastrea was assigned to the family Siderastreidae owing to the similarity of its septal micromorphology to that of Coscinaraea. Subsequently, it was synonymised with Leptoseris, family Agariciidae, based on corallum macromorphology. However, Benzoni et al. 2012 restored it on the basis of a combined morphologic and molecular approach.
Type Species
Craterastrea levis Head, 1983, p. 430, figs 6–9, 11–14; Original Designation Head, 1983: 430
Type Specimen: Holotype; NHMUK 1981.4.1.4; Verified; Dry Preserved
Type Locality: Towartit, Port Sudan, Sudan
Diagnosis
Corallum colonial, attached, forming cup shaped colonies. Corallites plocoid, few in number and distant, wall synapticulothecal, perforate. Septa perforate, joined by synapticulae, fusing towards the fossa. Septa ornamentation composed of paddle-shaped granules. Columella developed, formed by multiple processes. Costae on the colony wall unequal to sub-equal.
Distribution
This page has been in preparation since 02-Jun-2007 12:35
This version was contributed by Francesca Benzoni on 05-Nov-2012 13:44.
Page authors are: Francesca Benzoni. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.
The editor is: Ann Budd
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