Button cup corals
Caryophyllia spp.
Description:
Corallum ceratoid, straight and firmly attached through a robust pedicel about half the diameter of the corallite. About 1 cm in diameter and 12 mm in height. Theca covered with porcelaneous granules; costae usually inconspicuous; corallum white.
Septa arranged in 3 cycles: 10:10:20 (=40 septa). Septa of each cycle progressively narrower and less exsert. Columella fascicular.
Color:
Upper half of corallite in shades of brown; basal deposits creamy white.
Habitat:
Attached to hard substrate on the underside of ledge overhangs and cave ceilings. Occasionally in the recesses of small cavities.
Distribution:
Most species have an Antillean distribution.
Remarks:
Two species of this genus are recorded from the Leeward Island group: Caryophyllia maculata and Caryophyllia antillarum.