Oulophyllia

Oulophyllia is a genus of colonial stony corals in the family Merulinidae. These corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and the East African coast to the western Pacific Ocean. They are characterized by their distinctive, often convoluted corallites (individual coral polyps), and are commonly referred to as “brain corals” due to the resemblance of their surface to a human brain.

Erythrastrea Flabellata – Oulophyllia wellsi

Common Names

Oulophyllia species are commonly known as "brain corals" or "grooved brain corals".

Characteristics

Oulophyllia corals are characterized by the following features:

  • Colonial: They form colonies of individual polyps, each housed in a cup-like structure called a corallit.
  • Convoluted Corallites: The corallites are interconnected and often have a meandering, convoluted appearance, resembling the folds of a brain.
  • Grooved Surfaces: The surface of the coral colony is typically covered in a network of grooves, which are the boundaries between the individual corallites.
  • Color Variation: Oulophyllia species can exhibit a wide range of colors, including brown, tan, green, and even shades of purple or pink.
  • Size: Colonies can vary in size, ranging from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter.

Environments

Oulophyllia corals are found in a variety of shallow-water environments, typically on reefs and lagoons. They prefer clear, well-lit waters with moderate water currents.

References