Lanceopora formosa Harmer, 1957

(Figs 113–115; Table 24)

Lanceopora formosa Harmer, 1957: 987, pl. 66, figs 10, 11A, B, 12, 13, 17.

Figured material. RGM.1350571, Holocene, UPGG 041, off South Sulawesi.

Description. Colony lanceolate, multiserial, bilaminar. A very thin, median keeled axis separates the two alternating, submedian rows of zooids that are longitudinally orientated; outer rows of zooids obliquely orientated. Autozooids distinct, bordered by a thin, raised, smooth rim of calcification, oval to irregularly polygonal, longer than wide (mean L/W = 1.54). Frontal shield slightly convex, nodular, evenly perforated by 15–20 large, circular pseudopores, 15–25 µm in diameter, set in polygonal depressions; marginal areolar pores sometimes distinguishable along zooidal margins, irregularly shaped. Orifice distally placed, slightly broader than long, transversely D-shaped with a wide sinus; no condyles. Avicularia and ooecia not observed.

Remarks. Four colonies of Lanceopora formosa, some with the distinctive lanceolate shape, were found in our samples. The colonies are about 2.0– 2.5 mm long by 1.5–2.0 mm wide, often broken at the margins. The median keeled axes between the two submedian rows of zooids, on either surface of the colony, seems to be characteristic of this species (Harmer 1957). Lanceopora formosa was described from fine mud from off Kangeang Island, northeast of Java, and also found in fine coral-sand in the Strait of Makassar at 59 m depth.

N, Number of colonies and number of zooids measured; SD, standard deviation.