Family Merulinidae: (L. merus, pure; L. linea, line).... outlining the entirely line-like appearance of the
valleys. The genus name is derived from prominent hydnophores, which are conical structures, developed between the
corallite centers (monticuloid or hydnophoroid morphology). Skeletal structures are often faviid-like but are highly fused, without
paliform lobes. The valleys are superficial and often become obscured as they contort or spread like a fan.
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This family has very close affinities with Mussiidae. The family consists of five extant genera (i.e. Hydnophora,
Paraclavarina, Merulina, Boninastrea, and Scaphophyllia). Only species of the genus Boninastrea are not
found around PNG. The most diverse genus is Hydnophora with seven species. This genus was sometimes included in the
family Faviidae. However, Veron (2000) points out that the close morphological similarities with Merulina and
Scapophyllia clearly establish this genus in the family Merulinidae.
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Some members of the family Merulinidae (80kB)
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According to Harrison and Wallace (1990), all species studied thus far are hermaphroditic broadcast-spawners. Paraclavarina
triangularis and Merulina ampliata were observed to spawn during the mass-spawning events on the GBR.
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All genera are restricted to the Indo-Pacific region: ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydnophora (Gk. hydnon, tuber; phero, to bear):
Colonies are both branched or massive and brown, green, or yellowish with tips of the monticules paler. The genus name is
derived from prominent hydnophores, which are conical structures (projecting discontinuous cones) between the corallite
centers (Veron 1986). Skeletal structures are often faviid-like but are highly fused, without paliform lobes. The valleys are superficial
and often become obscured as they contort or spread like a fan. Corallites are joined in series but their walls only rarely form a solid
ridge. They are seldom over 20mm in length (hydnophoroid). Septa are visible as fine, closely packed, finely dentate or almost
smooth. Species are characteristic of protected habitats and is very abundant in lagoonal environments.
(6 known species).
Paraclavarina (Gk. para, beside; L. clavarius, clublike):
Colonies are a network of anastomosing branches, either compacted or open. Branches are triangular in cross-section.
Colonies may be up to 5m across. Color pale yellow or cream. No hydnophores present. Valleys are short and shallow with deep
columella and distinct septa. (1 known species).
Merulina (L. merus, pure; linea, line):
Partly encrusting and partly foliaceous colonies which may be thin and cabbage-like or flatter and plate-like. Colonies are
pale-brown in color. Surface structure is meandroid (lines of corallites fan out radially), with the calices arranged in rows
and separated by collines (hydnophores are present only rudimentarily). Calices are about 5mm apart and visible. Septa protrude
and are closely packed. Septal margins have ragged teeth. Species found on reef slopes.
(3 known species).
Boninastrea (Japanese island of Bonin; Gk. aster, star):
Colonies are massive with short, highly contorted valleys and are yellowish-green in color. Septa have well developed teeth.
Calices up to 10mm in diameter. Columella is absent. Status of this coral is still obscure, and could well be an aberant form of
Merulina. (1 known species).
Scaphophyllia (L. scapus, stalk, shaft; Gk. phyllon, leaf):
Forms massive, often columnar colonies that are brown in color and have stout foliaceous edges. Calices are united in series to
form a pattern of valleys and ridges. Distance from mid-ridge to mid-ridge is about 5mm while valleys are 3-4mm deep. Callices
centers are few mm apart. Septa are slightly exsert and closely packed.
(1 known species).
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