Slender Lettuce Coral

zooxanthellate

This is an encrusting species when small, though it can develop brackets or leaves which reach 50 cm across. Its surface is convoluted due to well developed collines, rather in the manner of Pachyseris rugosa. Septo-costae are equal. This is widespread and possibly the commonest species in this genus in the Indian Ocean, and occupies the greatest range of habitats in the genus. As well as occurring in typical Leptoseris habitats, it is found on fairly sedimented back reef slope. (Sheppard, 1998 ) Colonies are encrusting or laminar with a surface of small irregular folds. Corallites are crowded between the folds except towards the periphery where they are aligned in rows parallel to the margins. They are outwardly inclined. Septo-costae are fine and even. Colour: mottled brown and green, usually dark colours if in shade. Abundance: sometimes common on reef slopes protected from wave action especially on steeply sloping or vertical walls, where they frequently exceed1 m in diameter. (Veron, 1986 )