831 species

Porites harrisoni

Veron, 2000

Porites

Link, 1807

Characters: Colonies are usually less than one metre across. They have a wide range of submassive, nodular, columnar and branching growth-forms on a broad encrusting base.

Colour: Commonly dark brown, also pink or blue.

Similar Species: Porites compressa, which has distinct corallite characters. See also P. nodifera, which has a similar growth-form.

Habitat: Shallow fringing reefs.

Abundance: Locally common and may be a dominant species.

Taxonomic References: Scheer and Pillai (1983) as Porites compressa; Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);

Identification Guides: Carpenter, Harrison, Hodgson et al. (1997) as Porites compressa; Pichon, Benzoni, Chaineau et al. (2010);

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