18. Scolymia welsii

Scolymia welsii is an ahermatypic coral. A single polyp inhabits a deep elliptic or circular corallite. Circular forms may attain diameters of 7cm, and elliptic forms may reach dimensions of 6 x 4 cm. Both forms have a well developed columella, and five cycles of septa, with a sixth incomplete cycle. The first three cycles reach the columella and the next three are curved and fixed to the first. The live coral is bright green, gray, or dark violet.

Scolymia welsii is a common species in shaded zones of the reefs of the coast of the state of Pernambuco and in the Abrolhos area. It inhabits clear, calm waters, and is always accompanied by Agaricia fragilis and the fixed form of Meandrina braziliensis. It is also registered at depths between 50 and 80 m, on the coast of Pernambuco state and on the Vitória Bank on the coast of Espiríto Santo state.

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