831 species

Montipora hodgsoni

Veron, 2000

Montipora

Quoy and Gaimard, 1830

Characters: Colonies are composed of small, thin, highly dissected unifacial laminae, sometimes forming tiers or whorls. Corallites are barely visible among coenosteum ridges which are short and irregular and usually perpendicular to the colony margin.

Colour: Uniform grey-brown. Polyps are blue (which may photograph purple) or white.

Similar Species: Montipora foliosa and M. delicatula, both of which form larger, less irregular plates and have larger corallites. See also M. friabilis.

Habitat: Protected upper reef slopes.

Abundance: Uncommon.

Taxonomic Note: May be difficult to distinguish from other lamellate Montipora unless these occur together.

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

Identification Guides: Turak and DeVantier (2011b);

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