Alveopora allingi
Hoffmeister, 1925
Description: Colonies are encrusting or have short irregular lobes with rounded surfaces, or are columnar. Corallites have walls composed of interconnected rods and spines and long spine-like septa. Columellae are usually present and are sometimes well developed. Polyps are tightly compacted and are long, usually with slightly expanded tentacle tips.
Color: Usually yellow, green or brown with white oral cones.
Habitat: Protected reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar Species: Alveopora catalai, which has larger corallites and a branching growth-form. Alveopora marionensis has smaller corallites but a similar growth-form. See also A. gigas.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Wells (1954), Veron and Pichon (1982). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Sheppard and Sheppard (1991), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A large colony. The lobed structure of the underlying skeleton is masked by the long polyps. Houtman Abrolhos Islands, south-west Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Polyps in the process of contraction. Norfolk Island, western Pacific Photograph: Charlie Veron
Polyp detail. Houtman Abrolhos Islands, south-west Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Polyp detail. Houtman Abrolhos Islands, south-west Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron