A detailed look at how reef-building corals are built inside out.
This memoir explains the anatomy of several madreporarian corals, focusing on Turbinaria and Lophohelia, and discusses two aberrant imperforate genera, Seriatopora and Pocillopora. It also adds observations on the skeleton of Flabellum and new anatomical features discovered in these groups.
The work emphasizes concrete, plate‑illustrated findings over long descriptions, offering practical insights into colony form, calyx arrangement, and septa variation. It presents first‑time notes such as the absence of directive mesenteries in Lophohelia, the retraction of Seriatopora tentacles, and the discovery of centres of calcification in the theca. The accompanying plates help readers visualize the structures described.
What you’ll experience:
- Close-up descriptions of Turbinaria’s colony form and calyx placement
- Observations on Lophohelia’s unique anatomy and how it differs from other hexactinids
- Notable features in Seriatopora and Pocillopora, including tentacle behavior and tissue relationships
- A concise note on Flabellum’s skeleton and comparative context within the group
Ideal for readers interested in coral anatomy, paleontology, and the detailed study of colonial corals.