Acanthastrea bowerbanki
Milne Edwards and Haime, 1851
Description: Colonies are encrusting and usually small. Corallites are cerioid, with irregular angular shapes. A central corallite is usually conspicuous. Septa are compact and columellae are small. Colonies are not fleshy.
Color: Usually pale grey, brown or rust coloured, often mottled.
Habitat: Lower reef slopes protected from wave action.
Abundance: Rare except in subtropical localities of eastern Australia.
Similar Species: Superficially resembles small colonies of the faviid Moseleya latistellata. If a central corallite is inconspicuous it resembles the faviid Favites. See also Acanthastrea hemprichii. and A. rotundoflora.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Pichon (1980). Identification guide: Veron (1986).
Edge of a small colony. Lord Howe Island, south-east Australia Photograph: Len Zell
A small colony with a clearly defined central corallite. Lord Howe Island, south-east Australia Photograph: Neville Coleman
Detail of corallites. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Neville Coleman
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.