Alveopora marionensis
Veron and Pichon, 1982
Description: Colonies are composed of short irregular lobes. Corallites have walls formed from compacted rods and spines. Septa are composed of tapered spines which are only connected low down in the corallite. Polyps have short straight tentacles.
Color: Uniform grey, brown or pinkish, sometimes with white tentacle tips.
Habitat: Found only in environments with moderate wave action.
Abundance: Rare.
Similar Species: Alveopora fenestrata, which has a growth-form intermediate between A. marionensis and A. verrilliana, but only larger colonies can be distinguished by differences in growth-form. Polyp shapes and colours are always distinctive.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Pichon (1982). Identification guide: Veron (1986).
A small colony. Marion Reef, Coral Sea Photograph: Ed Lovell
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Polyp detail. Bali, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron