Alveopora minuta
Veron, 2000
Description: Colonies are composed of short irregularly dividing knob-like branches. Corallites have no septa or one or two septa reduced to a single spine. A palisade of vertical spines occurs above the wall. Corallites are as small as many species of Porites (approximately 1 mm diameter) although this species always looks Alveopora-like underwater.
Color: Greenish-brown.
Habitat: Rocky surfaces exposed to currents.
Abundance: Rare.
Similar Species: Alveopora viridis, which has coarser skeletal structures. See also A. verrilliana, which has larger corallites.
Taxonomic note: See ‘New species described in Corals of the World’ (Veron, in preparation) for further information. Source reference: Veron (2000).
A small colony. Bali, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Surface detail. Bali, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron