Biology
provided by World Register of Marine Species
zooxanthellate
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
- bibliographic citation
- Veron, J. E. N. (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. <em>Angus & Robertson Publishers.</em> Veron, J. E. N. (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. <em>Angus & Robertson Publishers.</em> van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
- contributor
- Jacob van der Land [email]
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Colonies reach several metres diameter. A rough first guide to distinguishing this species from Porites lutea seems to be that, whereas the latter grows either vertical ridges or vertically projecting columns, P. lobata tends to develop drooping lobes. However, colonies of both may be equally irregular. The septal triplet have free margins, and hence resemble P. solida rather than P. lutea. It is found in very similar habitat to P. lutea, forming huge colonies in clear water to about 15 m deep (Sheppard, 1998). Colonies are hemispherical or helmet-shaped and may be very large. Colour: usually cream or pale brown but may be bright blue, purple or green in shallow water. Abundance: very common and frequently a dominant, with P. lutea and P. australiensis. Of back reef margins, lagoons and some fringing reef (Veron, 1986).
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
- bibliographic citation
- Veron, J. E. N. (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. <em>Angus & Robertson Publishers.</em> Veron, J. E. N. (1986). Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. <em>Angus & Robertson Publishers.</em> van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
- contributor
- Edward Vanden Berghe [email]
