831 species

Alveopora spongiosa

Dana, 1846

Alveopora

de Blainville, 1830

Characters: Colonies are generally encrusting or form solid plates, occasionally becoming submassive. They have a flat or irregular surface and may be over 2 metres across. Corallites have long or short fine septal spines which seldom connect. Tips of polyp tentacles may be pointed or knob-like. Sometimes six large tentacles alternate with six small tentacles.

Colour: Usually uniform pale or dark brown, rarely green or other colours. Polyps sometimes have white tentacle tips.

Similar Species: Alveopora daedalea. See also A. tizardi, which has smaller corallites, a more solid skeletal structure and distinctive knobs on tentacle tips.

Habitat: Protected upper reef slopes.

Abundance: Usually uncommon.

Taxonomic Note: A species complex.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change