Wolfram Sander, reefcolors.com
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Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772)
Characters: Colonies are large and hemispherical or encrusting. Valleys are usually long and sinuous but may become short, with 1-3 centres and form Hydnophora-like (Merulinidae) monticules. Septa are exsert, equal, and finely toothed. A fine ambulacral groove occurs along the tops of walls. Tentacles are extended only at night.
Colour: Walls are brown or grey with valleys the same colour or green.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Sometimes common, conspicuous.
Synonymised names:
Colpophyllia amaranthus (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonym)
Colpophyllia astreaeformis Duchaissang & Michelotti, 1860 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia fragilis (Dana, 1846) (synonymy)
Colpophyllia natans f. amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia natans f. astreaeformis Pfaff, 1969 (synonym)
Colpophyllia natans var. astreaeformis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia tenuis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849 (synonymy)
Madrepora amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Madrepora gyrosa Ellis & Solander, 1786 (synonym)
Madrepora natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (changed combination)
Madrepora natans Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Manicina fissa Ehrenberg, 1834 (synonymy)
Meandrina gyrosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (junior synonym)
Mussa gyrosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (synonymy)
Direct children (4):
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonymy)
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. astreaeformis Pfaff, 1969 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonym)
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. breviserialis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849) accepted as Colpophyllia breviserialis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849 (synonym)
Variety Colpophyllia natans var. astreaeformis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonymy)
Characters: Colonies are large and hemispherical or encrusting. Valleys are usually long and sinuous but may become short, with 1-3 centres and form Hydnophora-like (Merulinidae) monticules. Septa are exsert, equal, and finely toothed. A fine ambulacral groove occurs along the tops of walls. Tentacles are extended only at night.
Colour: Walls are brown or grey with valleys the same colour or green.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Sometimes common, conspicuous.
Synonymised names:
Colpophyllia amaranthus (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonym)
Colpophyllia astreaeformis Duchaissang & Michelotti, 1860 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia fragilis (Dana, 1846) (synonymy)
Colpophyllia natans f. amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia natans f. astreaeformis Pfaff, 1969 (synonym)
Colpophyllia natans var. astreaeformis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 (synonymy)
Colpophyllia tenuis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849 (synonymy)
Madrepora amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Madrepora gyrosa Ellis & Solander, 1786 (synonym)
Madrepora natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (changed combination)
Madrepora natans Houttuyn, 1772 (synonymy)
Manicina fissa Ehrenberg, 1834 (synonymy)
Meandrina gyrosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (junior synonym)
Mussa gyrosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (synonymy)
Direct children (4):
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. amaranthus Houttuyn, 1772 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonymy)
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. astreaeformis Pfaff, 1969 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonym)
Forma Colpophyllia natans f. breviserialis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849) accepted as Colpophyllia breviserialis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849 (synonym)
Variety Colpophyllia natans var. astreaeformis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 accepted as Colpophyllia natans (Houttuyn, 1772) (synonymy)
