Pavona decussata (Dana, 1846)

Samiei, Jahangir Vajed, Dab, Koosha, Ghezellou, Parviz & Shirvani, Arash, 2013, Some scleractinian corals (Scleractinia: Anthozoa) of Larak Island, Persian Gulf, Zootaxa 3636 (1), pp. 101-143 : 111

Pavona decussata (Dana, 1846)

( Figs. 9–10 )

Material: ZUTC Cnid. 1007, two colony fragments, Larak Island, 26° 53' 0.7" N, 56° 20' 51.3" E, Coll. J. Vajed Samiei, November 2010.

Identification guide: Veron (2000)

Notes for local identification: Colonies are sub-massive (highly infected by polychaetes) or bifacial upright plates. Colonies are light brown with white tentacles. The coenosteum has small holes between primary and secondary costae.

Abundance: Uncommon.

Depth of occurrence: 2 to 5 m.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Pavona decussata (form 1), a, exoskeleton; b, close up of corallites; c & e, underwater photographs of different colonies; d & f, underwater photographs of polyps.

FIGURE 10. Pavona decussata (form 2), a, exoskeleton; b, close up of corallites; c, underwater photograph of the colony; d, underwater photograph of polyps.