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Old 04/18/2005, 04:15 PM
RandyO RandyO is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Quote:
Originally posted by mothra
Do you guys think this is a micromussa? I don't think it is but a couple people I know think otherwise. It gets much plumper when feeding, the rest of the time it's not quite as fleshy.





Sorry about the corraline on the glass!!
Jacob.


Yes, your piece looks like Micromussa diminuta. Can't say for sure if it is or not.

M. diminuta





Characters: Colonies are massive and cerioid, with pentagonal or hexagonal corallites 3-4 millimetres diameter. Walls are thin. Septa are beaded and columellae are poorly developed. Colonies do not have thick fleshy tissue over the skeleton. Colour: Brown, with pale grey centres. The surface is usually speckled white. Similar species: Micromussa minuta, which has larger, more rounded corallites with fewer, thicker septa. Underwater this species can readily be mistaken for a faviid with small corallites. Habitat: Shallow reef environments. Abundance: Uncommon.

Taxonomic note: See ‘New species described in Corals of the World’ (Veron, in preparation) for further information. Source reference: Veron (2000).


Remember that these pics are taken in the Ocean, and not under Actinic lighting.
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