A new species of the scleractinian coral genus Montastrea de
Blainville, 1830 was discovered in the Philippines and has been given the name
Montastrea multipunctata. This species may have been previously overlooked
due to its striking resemblance to a co-occurring zoanthid. Montastrea multipunctata
is unusual because in situ, sediment accumulation often partially covers
the corallum, especially in the area between the polyps. The features of M.
multipunctata coralla are modified by a polychaete worm that resides within
them, a relationship found in several other faviid species. Although M. multipunctata
shares some characteristics with other Montastrea species, it is clearly
differentiated on the basis of growth form, polyp shape, and corallite morphology,
especially the pointed septal dentations of the primary septa, which are
usually highly exsert over the theca