Montipora foveolata
Dana, 1846
Description: Colonies are massive or form thick plates. Corallites are foveolate (funnel-shaped) and immersed in the coenosteum so that the opening of the corallite is at the base of the funnel. The coenosteum is fine. Tuberculae and papillae are absent.
Color: Usually pale brown, blue (which may photograph pink) or cream but may be brightly coloured, sometimes with bright blue or green tentacles partly extended during the day.
Habitat: Most reef environments.
Abundance: Seldom common but relatively distinctive.
Similar Species: Montipora venosa.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Wells (1954), Veron and Wallace (1984). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
Funnel-shaped corallites of submassive colonies. Scott Reef, Western Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Surface detail. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Drawing: Geoff Kelly
Surface detail. Tonga Photograph: Gustav Paulay