digitata term definition

[kaskiles]

Hi,

I have a pink Montipora digitata.
My question is about the exact meaning of the term digitata.

Does it just mean branching? Or is there more meaning to the word, and/or is it only specific to (and used with) the Montipora designation?

Would there be such a thing as an SPS that was encrusting and digitata, or are they normally classified as one or the other.

I've heard that some Montipora, such as Setosa, can encrust flat over the rocks but also shoot up with branches and send up less pronounced 'nodules'.

Is the digitata term just an indicator to one of the coral's physical shape characteristics (or propensity to have this shape).

Thanks, Kenneth.

 

[psteeleb]

digits - like fingers

or thick straight branches

the term is generic and mostly applied to montiporas.

It can be part of a scientific or actual name but is often used to desrcibe the shape.

HTH

 

[landlord]

Along with what Pete said ^

many terrestrial plants also have "digitata" in their scientific names as well.

 

[RicksReefs]

M. digitata belongs only to M. digitata as it's a species name and not generic.
branching corals can be digitate however, since it's just another name for a branching, fingerlike growth form.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13648991#post13648991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
M. digitata belongs only to M. digitata as it's a species name and not generic.
branching corals can be digitate however, since it's just another name for a branching, fingerlike growth form.

I didn't know that - thanks Rick for pointing that out. I suspect that the term "digitata" gets abused as I often hear and see it used to describe other corals. I am only aware of it being used formally in the scientific name in "Montepora Digitata" as Rick points out.

 

[kaskiles]

So if you see a coral that looks like a Montipora, but it's shape is not branching or finger-like, do you know for sure that it is not a Montipora Digitata?

Or could a Montipora Digitata coral just look like a flat encrusting/spreading mass?

Thanks, Kenneth.

 

[crvz]

Yes, an M. digitata could appear to be an encrusting species depending on the frag, but eventually would start growing up and out.

 

[dots]

Man, I don't know what you guys are saying........but it's all Latin to me.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13651125#post13651125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
Man, I don't know what you guys are saying........but it's all Latin to me.

It is Latin :lol: