Anacropora matthai
Pillai, 1973
Description: Colonies sprawl over the substrate and have dead bases so that they fall apart if disturbed. Branches are less than 5 millimetres thick, are generally straight and do not taper. Corallites are tubular and project up to 1.5 millimetres. Tentacles may be extended day and night.
Color: Brown with pale brown or cream branch tips.
Habitat: May cover extensive areas on horizontal muddy substrates with clear water.
Abundance: Usually rare.
Similar Species: Anacropora pillai is similar in size but not in appearance.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Pillai (1973), Veron and Wallace (1984). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Showing fine branches in deep water. Tiny tubular corallites have tentacles extended during the day. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Corallites and coenosteum.