Acanthastrea lordhowensis
Veron and Pichon, 1982
Description: Colonies are massive and cerioid, with laterally compressed corallites of uneven height. Walls are acute: septa are thick, with large teeth. Columellae are barely developed. Colonies have a thick fleshy mantle which is covered by fine papillae.
Color: Very colourful: red, purple and green are the most common colours, with corallites and walls almost always of contrasting colours.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments especially of subtropical localities.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Similar Species: Micromussa amakusensis. See also Acanthastrea echinata.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Pichon (1982). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Corallite detail. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
A large colourful colony. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallite detail. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallite detail. Solitary Islands, south-east Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.