16. Mussismilia braziliensis
| Mussismilia braziliensis forms massive, globular
colonies, that may be hemispheric, and that are
fixed strongly to the substrate. They can reach
diameters of more than 1 m. The calices are
polygonal and relatively small (8 to 10 mm in
diameter). The central column is reduced, the septa
are delicate and the fourth cycle is incomplete. In
the large colonies a tendency to form roughly
elongated submeandroid calices with more than
three columnar centers has been observed. The
color of the live colony varies between whitish gray
and whitish yellow. Mussismilia braziliensis is endemic to Brazil. It has archaic characteristics, similar to those species from the Miocene Mediterranean basin. Together with Favia leptophylla, it shows the greatest geographic confinement; it is registered only along the coast of Bahia state. It is the principal constructor of the tops and edges of reefs in the |  |
 | Abrolhos region. On the reefs of Itaparica island roughly hemispheric forms, measuring 5 to 10 cm in diameter, are found in the pools and channels of the reef structure. On the reef front, in waters of depths around 5 m, larger, dome like, colonies occur (maximum diameter 0.5 m). On the reefs of the northern coast of the state of Bahia, this species occurs at depths of 4 to 10 m. |
| The ocurrence of this species shows its preference for relatively shallow (inferior to 20 m) clean water. |
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