These coral have rough, solid skeletons
pitted by tiny calices. They inhabit areas exposed to surf, surge, or current.
Colony shape varies considerably according to physical factors and can be
difficult to identify in some situations. Unlike other coral
families the calices of most Pocillopora are identical. The Cauliflower coral
group is taxonomically confused and in need of review.
All coral
skeletons illustrated are from scientific collections taken prior to
1998. |