Alveopora catalai
Wells, 1968
Description: Colonies are composed of gnarled branches that divide irregularly. They may form stands over 5 metres across. Corallites are large, composed of an interlocking network of rods and spines. Polyps are large with knob-like tentacle tips.
Color: Pale tan when polyps are retracted. Extended polyps are amber or yellowish with white oral discs, sometimes with white tentacle tips.
Habitat: Occurs only on soft substrates in deep water or in shallow turbid water protected from wave action and currents.
Abundance: Uncommon but conspicuous.
Similar Species: Alveopora gigas and A. allingi.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Pichon (1982). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
This species commonly forms extensive beds of flower-like polyps. Calamian Islands, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
When polyps are fully extended they are long tubes. Apo Island, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
Detail of retracting polyps. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Characteristic appearance of fully extended polyps. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.