831 species

Montipora cryptus

Veron, 2000

Montipora

Quoy and Gaimard, 1830

Characters: Colonies are small irregular plates. Corallites are small, immersed and widely spaced. The coenosteum is covered with tuberculae which may be verrucae-like. These may contain corallites.

Colour: Brown or mottled.

Similar Species: Montipora meandrina, which has larger tuberculae forming verrucae, larger corallites and a coarser coenosteum. See also M. floweri which has a coarser coenosteum and less tendency to form verrucae.

Habitat: Most reef environments.

Abundance: Uncommon and inconspicuous.

Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);

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