Pocillopora meandrina
Dana, 1846
Records from the central Indian Ocean are doubtful.
Description: Colonies are small upright bushes. Branches radiate from the initial point of growth. They are flattened, those in shallow water being curved when viewed from above. Verrucae are neat and uniform.
Color: Usually cream, green or pink.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Common on exposed reef fronts, uncommon elsewhere.
Similar Species: Pocillopora kelleheri. See also P. verrucosa, which has relatively prominent verrucae.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Vaughan (1907), Veron and Pichon (1982), Dai (1989). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Pocillopora verrucosa (left) with P. meandrina (right) on a reef front. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Pocillopora meandrina (left) with P. eydouxi (right). Dumaguete, Philippines Photograph: Doug Fenner
Common colony shape on an upper reef slope. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Side of a branch.
Surface detail. Hawaii Photograph: Doug Fenner