Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848
Coscinarea columna (3)
Type species: Coscinaraea monile (Forskål, 1775)
Total number of species estimated: 4-5.
Characteristics: Corals zooxanthellate; encrusting to foliaceous, massive or columnar. Polyps (corallites) usually larger than 3 mm in diameter, immersed, with columella consisting of one or more pinnules, without distinct walls (Veron and Pichon, 1979). Colour cream, light to dark brown, green or grey.
Ecology: Most common on reef slopes.
Range: Indo-West Pacific.
Additional remarks: Can be distinguished from Psammocora by larger polyps. Some foliaceous and encrusting species resemble Leptoseris or Lithophyllon spp., which may indicate unsolved taxonomic problems.
Key references: Veron and Pichon, 1979; Veron, 1986, 2000.