International Journal of Marine Science, 2016, Vol.6, No.14, 1-10
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turn can be divided or ornamented by many tiny spines and denticles. Distinct development of costae on the
exotheca of corallites is one of the most typical features of Faviidae. Costae may be in one and two cycles, equal
or unequal, differentiated by size. Costae of neighboring corallites can merge (in such case they are called
adjoining) or terminate near the base of the exotheca and be separated by an intercorallite boundary – a narrow
crack or groove.
Figure 1: 1, 3-
Favia speciosa
, placoid colony with fragmented corallites with well-developed ecsoteca and poorly expressed
columella; 2, 4-
Favites flexuosa
, cerioid colony with polygonal angulate corallites. Total septotheka is clearly visible and adjacent
septa, reaching thick columella, different variants of meandroid colonies, 5-
Platygyra daedalea
, and 6-
Oulophyllia crispa.
Figure 2: 1-
Favia speciosa,
2
- Favites flexuosa
, principal differences are clearly visible in the form of colonies and corallites and
microstructure of their skeletal elements, differences are visible although coverage of cenosarc.
2.2 Septa
The septal apparatus of the Faviidae are formed by five cycles of septa, often forming a septotheca and, as a rule,
differentiated by length into two sizes (orders) with prominent primary septa. Distal septal margins are always
more or less dentate serrate with the formation of paliform lobes and pali. External peripheral septal margins are
nearly always fan-like and protruding above the theca. The Faviid columella is trabecular, more rarely agminate. It
can be lax, consisting of several simple spinules or pinnacles, or very dense, consisting of numerous interlacing
trabeculae, often winding spirally. One or several concentric circles, made of merging granulated septal ends, can
