Pavona "herniations"

[osterman]

Eric, just read with interest your 1997 article at Aquarium.Net entitled "Pavona of the Desert". (Found here).

I have a Pavona sp. small frag exhibiting a spherical "herniation" like the one you describe in the article. Just wondering if you've ever found out anything more about the phenomenon? I presume this is not the same as the "polyp extrusion" thing you're researching elsewhere.

 

[osterman]

Here's a picture, the best I could do with an hour's effort. The herniation extends to the lower right, with its point of attachment at the base of the single "leaf" on this frag. The frag has encrusted the rock over a surprisingly large area without itself growing much. The herniation deflates if the animal is disturbed, but reinflates later. The "leaf" is greener than it appears here, though it has browned up under my PC lights since I got it. The herniation is not green, rather a translucent tan. It's about the size of a pea. -Larry

 

[EricHugo]

That is indeed the same thing...can you get a clearer shot and email me at eborneman@uh.edu. i would like to discuss this further with you. Thanks!