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Echinophora
This is another typical
foliaceous coral, resembling somewhat a huge, cabbage-like vegetable. It is attached by a
thick stem and sends out more or less horizontally, a few large, thin fronds or laminae. On
the upper surface of these fronds, the calyces are arranged at considerable intervals. These
corals are also richly provided with small, sharp spines. The large, frond-like expansions are
brittle and somewhat fragile, and break easily even under moderate pressure.
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Favia
The genus, Favia includes corals, which are
usually hemispherical or almost spherical in shape, without lobes or branches, but sometimes
encrusting in habit. The surface of the coral consists of a large number of close-set cups or
calyces, about 10 mm. in diameter, which projects lightly above the general level of the
colony. The calyces are usually circular in outline, but they may become distorted by
overcrowding.
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Madrepora &
Montipora The
genus madrepora is probably the most widely distributed and abundant of all reef-building
corals of the world. This species represents one of the most characteristic forms assumed by
these corals. There is usually a long, thick, erect, main stem from which large, irregular,
lateral branches are given off, which subdivide, but rarely anastamose. This form is popularly
known as the stag horn coral from its resemblance to the branching horn of the stag.
Montipora is another important reef
building coral, widely distributed in the tropical seas of the old world, but absent in the
Atlantic Ocean and the West Indian waters. The specimens vary a great deal in appearance and
often attain a very great size. They may be rounded and massive or encrusting, branching or
foliate. All parts of the colony are profusely perforated.
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