Montipóra Prstovitá

Overview

Montipora digitata, commonly known as finger coral, is a stony coral species characterized by its branching, digitate, or bushy growth form. It is a widespread and resilient species found across the Indo-Pacific, often serving as a pioneer organism in reef recovery and providing essential habitat for various reef-dwelling creatures.

Distribution & habitat

This species is native to the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from East Africa to the Marshall Islands and Fiji. It typically thrives in shallow reef environments, including reef flats and areas subject to high sedimentation or strong wave action, where it may form large, hemispherical mounds.

Appearance

Colonies exhibit vertically aligned, anastomosing (fusing) branches that can reach 40 centimeters or more in diameter. The surface has a pitted appearance due to small, deeply embedded corallites. While often found in shades of pale cream, yellow, or brown, it also appears in vibrant colors such as purple, green, orange, pink, and blue depending on environmental conditions.

Biology & behavior

M. digitata is a zooxanthellate coral, maintaining an obligate symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) that reside within its tissues. These symbionts provide a significant portion of the coral's energy requirements through photosynthesis. The species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite and reproduces through synchronized annual spawning events, where gametes are released into the water column.