Montipora gaimardi
Bernard, 1897
Description: Colonies have encrusting bases and branches which may be open or form a compact clump. The coenosteum forms a complex of fine ridges. Corallites are both in and between these ridges.
Color: Brown or green, sometimes with pale branch tips.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Similar Species: Montipora cactus and M. australiensis, neither of which have corallites in and between coenosteum ridges. See also M. hispida.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Bernard’s original description/specimens. Identification guide: Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Montipora gaimardi (centre foreground) surrounded by M. altasepta (behind M. gaimardi) and a mixture of other branching Montipora (mostly M. digitata, background). Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Corallites
Showing well developed branches. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron