831 species

Porites monticulosa

Dana, 1846

Porites

Link, 1807

Characters: Colonies are massive, columnar, laminar, branching or encrusting and are usually less than one metre across. They are commonly mixtures of these growth-forms. Corallites are separated into groups by ridges.

Colour: Usually brown or blue.

Similar Species: Porites rus, which tends to form branches whereas P. monticulosa tends to be massive or form plates.

Habitat: Shallow reef environments.

Abundance: Common in the western Indian Ocean.

Taxonomic Note: A species complex.

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