Parent document

Family Trachyphylliidae: (Gk. trachys, rough; Gk. phyllon, leaf).... possibly relating to the intended form of the corallum that resembles a large and uneven leaf. Only one extant genus is included in this family, which is closely related to the Faviidae in general and Moseleya in particular. Trachyphyllia is repeatedly confused with Antillia in the fossil record. Solitary to colonial species that exhibit large paliform lobes and fine teeth on the septa (features that are not that strong pronounced in Faviids). Polyps are very fleshy.

Veron et al (1977) agreed with the separation of the subfamily Trachyphyliidae, from the Faviidae and distinguished one genera, namely Trachyphyllia. Veron (2000) recognizes only a single genus, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi while other authors assign the former and T.radiata to the family of Faviidae. Trachyphyllia is related to Moseleya. However, little is known about its biology or ecology (Veron 1995).


Some members of the family Trachyphyllidae (50kB)

key to the family Trachyphylliidae Genus: Trahyphyllia .... monogenetic
Genus is restricted to the Indo-Pacific region: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trachyphyllia (Gk. trachys, rough; phyllon, leaf):

T.geoffroyi is a solitary colony, attached, and turbinate with a mixture of green, pink, red, blue or brown colors. Colonies may reach up to 80mm in length. Corallites are joined in longitudinal series, but are free laterally. Meanders tend to widen and constrict. Septa are numerous and slightly exsert. Margins are minutely dentate. A pronounced paliform crown is well established.
PRESENT DISTRIBUTION: Red Sea and western Indian Ocean to southern Pacific.
GENERAL ABUNDANCE: uncommon, very conspicuous.
FOSSIL RECORD: Eocene Tethys and Indian Ocean, Oligocene of the Caribbean.
NUMBER OF EXTANT SPECIES: 1 known species.