Net Coral

zooxanthellate

This species grows mainly in the form of convoluted plates, with branch-like projections. Calices are rounded or angular, and walls are highly porous, being formed from a weak lattice of spines. Calice diameters range between 1.5 and 1.9 mm, which is at the lower end of the range described for this species. Septa are composed of slender spines, mostly about half calice radius or less, but with some meeting in the central axis deeper in the calices. The top of the walls bear short, upward pointing spines. This is by far the commonest Alveopora, occurring in a variety of reef habitats. It is almost certain to be easily located between 20 - 50 m deep on fore reef slopes. (Sheppard, 1998 <308>). Colonies are thick plates or pillows with flat or undulating upper surface. Corallites are 1.9--2.6 mm in diameter, with long or short fine septal spines with seldom meet. Tips of polyp tentacles may be pointed or knob-like. Sometimes six large tentacles alternate with six small ones. Colour: usually uniform pale or dark brown, rarely green. Polyps sometimes have white tentacle tips. Abundance: Usually uncommon but colonies may be over 1m across in protected parts of upper reef slopes, and are conspicuous. (Veron, 1986 <57>)