Psammocoridae Psammocora
High polymorphic genus with 5 species*. It is characterized by septa which are continuous from one corallite to the next and the development of horizontal skeletal elements connecting the septa. These horizontal skeletal features are arranged in concentric circles (which cannot always be easily distinguished with the naked eye) in fact represent the major component of the corallite wall. Collines** are often developed. Their development, and the number of corallites circumscribed by the collines vary between species, within species and even within a single colony.
*Psammocora contigua, Psammocora explanulata, Psammocora nierstraszi, Psammocora profundacella, Psammocora stellata.
** the collines are ridges resulting from a prominent vertical development of the upper part of the septa.
Psammocora
Psammocora
Psammocora
Psammocora
+
[colonie/individu]
- Overall colony growth form? : attached, encrusting ; attached, massive ; attached, branching ; free, nodular
- Relationship between corallites? : cerioid ; thamnasteroid ; meandroid
- Size of individual corallites (monocentric corallites) : medium [3 to 15 mm]
- Width of corallite series (pluricentric corallites) : narrow [less than 5 mm] ; medium [5 to 10mm]
- Shape of individual corallites (monocentric corallites)? : circular ; polygonal
- Wall height above cœnosteum? : not prominent
- Geomorphological area of the reef : lagoon (back reef) ; reef flat ; pente externe
- Monocentric and/or pluricentric corallites? : monocentrics ; pluricentrics (2 or 3 mouths) ; pluricentrics arranged in corallite series