What differentiates the genus Leptoseris from the genus Pavona?

[NoAhoysLeft]

I noticed these two look nearly identical, can anyone help me understand what features set these two genus of coral apart?

Is it some small difference in the skeleton, behavior, or something else?

I know these two corals are in the same family and are closely related, but what specifically separates them into two genus when they look so similar? I'm curious why they've been classified this way (genuinely) and not trying to be a smart aleck. I want to learn about them

 

[KrisReef]

Taxonomy (I am trying to be a smart Aleck)

My weakest point in science, so I will leave room for a proper answer by a Taxonomist if one happens by?

 

[NoAhoysLeft]

Taxonomy (I am trying to be a smart Aleck)

My weakest point in science, so I will leave room for a proper answer by a Taxonomist if one happens by?

Taxonomy truly is the worst (not really, just being humorous). I had to study it quite a bit in college and it fascinates me just how much taxonomy consists of experts arguing with each other about how things should be categorized.

 

[KrisReef]

Taxonomy truly is the worst (not really, just being humorous). I had to study it quite a bit in college and it fascinates me just how much taxonomy consists of experts arguing with each other about how things should be categorized.

That's right. So I think we agree that Pavona and Lepto can be safely combined without injury to the scientific method?

This was how they decided to split them in the first place:

 

[NoAhoysLeft]

That's right. So I think we agree that Pavona and Lepto can be safely combined without injury to the scientific method?

This was how they decided to split them in the first place:

Haha, thanks for making me laugh

 

[sculpin01]

According to Joe Rowlett, they are the same:

https://reefs.com/pavona-leptoseris...lar study focusing,treated as a single genus.

 

[NoAhoysLeft]

According to Joe Rowlett, they are the same:

https://reefs.com/pavona-leptoseris...lar study focusing,treated as a single genus.

Good to know. This has been bothering me. I suspected they must be very closely related, and wondered why they were split into 2 genus, but I suppose some would consider them the same.

I will give this a read, thank you.

 

[Dburr1014]

Not sure but, most likely the skeleton on each are slightly different. Probably not the answer you wanted, just put me in the smart aleck column.

 

[GlassMunky]

Minor skeletal differences

 

[encrustingacro]

Supposedly, Pavona has biracial fronds while Leptoseris has unifacial. Pavona also usually has a smooth corallum, while Leptoseris has bumps, wrinkles, etc. Another differentiating characteristic I have noticed is Leptoseris usually has meandering septo-costae while Pavona does not.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule: sub-massive, encrusting, and lobed Pavona are, by definition, unifacial, and P. maldivensis has exert corallites.
Molecular analysis has called this classification into question--the 2017 study mentioned above revealed the polyphyletic nature of these two genera.

 

[NoAhoysLeft]

Supposedly, Pavona has biracial fronds while Leptoseris has unifacial. Pavona also usually has a smooth corallum, while Leptoseris has bumps, wrinkles, etc. Another differentiating characteristic I have noticed is Leptoseris usually has meandering septo-costae while Pavona does not.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule: sub-massive, encrusting, and lobed Pavona are, by definition, unifacial, and P. maldivensis has exert corallites.
Molecular analysis has called this classification into question--the 2017 study mentioned above revealed the polyphyletic nature of these two genera.

Very interesting and good to know! Thank you for commenting, this is awesome info