astronomy-to-zoology: “ Montipora aequituberculata …a species of “Rice Coral” (Montipora spp.) which is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, through the Indian Ocean to Japan, the East China Sea,...
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astronomy-to-zoology:

Montipora aequituberculata

…a species of “Rice Coral” (Montipora spp.) which is native to the Indo-Pacific region.  Its range extends from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, through the Indian Ocean to Japan, the East China Sea, Australia and the west and central Pacific.M. aequituberculata is typically seen on the upper parts of reef slopes, where it is often one of the predominant species. Like many other coral species, M. aequituberculata  possesses zooxanthellae from which it obtains most of its nutritional needs. 

Although it is listed as least concern M. aequituberculata (like many other coral species) faces threats due to habitat destruction and rising sea temperatures which can cause coral bleaching. 

Classification

Animalia-Cnidaria-Anthozoa-Scleractinia-Acroporidae-Montipora-M. aequituberculata

Image: USFWS

(via moreanimalia)

Source: astronomy-to-zoology