New Records of Two Zooxanthellate Scleractinian Corals (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Scleractinia) from Korea

Abstract

The two zooxanthellate scleractinian corals are newly recorded in Korea: Psammocora albopicta Benzoni, 2006 of the family Psammocoridae and Oulastrea crispata (Lamarck, 1816) of the family Faviidae. These families are also newly recorded in Korea. Specimens were collected from the subtidal zones of Jeju-do Island, Korea by SCUBA diving from 1999 to 2014. Two scleractinians are described based on the morphological characters of skeletal structures. Psammocora albopicta is distinguished by its encrusting cerioid growth form, high density of corallites, small calicular diameter, single styliform columella, and fewer rows of enclosed septa. Oulastrea crispata is characterized by its encrusting plocoid growth form, polygonal calicular shape, irregular paliform lobes, and papillose columella.