A new reef-dwelling coral, <i>Pavona giannii</i> sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae), with an overview of the skeletal morphology of the type specimens of the genus <i>Pavona</i>.

ABSTRACT: Hard coral species in the agariciid genus Pavona are common in shallow and mesophotic coral reef communities across the Indo-Pacific, but their taxonomy has long been overlooked. Pavona giannii sp. nov. is here described based on newly collected material across the Indian Ocean, and historical museum specimens. In vivo and skeletal morphological features are described, diagnostic characters measured, and comparison with congeners performed. The new species forms an encrusting corallum devoid of raised ridges on its surface. Its corallites are flush with the surface, not inclined, and less than half a corallite diameter apart. Corallites arrangement is thamnasteroid and series can form locally. Where they occur, the radial elements run over the shared walls to the adjac

SUBMITTER: Benzoni F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12658429 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature