Montipora flabellata
Montipora flabellata, the Blue rice coral, is a species of coral in the family Acroporidae.
| Montipora flabellata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Acroporidae |
| Genus: | Montipora |
| Species: | M. flabellata |
| Binomial name | |
| Montipora flabellata (Studer, 1901) | |
Description
Common in shallow water exposed to surge.[1] Usually blue (which may photograph pink), also brown or purple. Colonies are encrusting, with irregular lobes.[2]
Ecology
Like many corals, Montipora flabellata has a mutually beneficial relationship with zooxanthellae, which are photosynthetic algae that live within the coral's tissues.[3]
References
- "Family Acroporidae HAWAII Montipora flabellata". Keoki Stender, MarinelifePhotography.com.
- "Montipora flabellata Studer, 1901". Corals of the World.
- "Blue rice coral (Montipora flabellata)". Wildscreen Arkive.
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