The rarity of certain coralstrainsis completely relative but there’s ten times more物种那个珊瑚礁从未在水族馆的爱好中看到，而珊瑚爱好者的雷达完全没有。中部太平洋比火星的星球更大，这为珊瑚生长留下了很大的空间，并且远离有限的珊瑚收集地点，我们在周围潜水时遇到了许多这样的硬化性新颖性Kwajalein环礁.
But today’s unknown coral species isMontipora dilatata，documented by Ryan Rash in one of the most remote coral reefs of the entire Pacific Ocean. Palmyra Atoll is an unincorporated US territory that is over a thousand miles from Hawaii with a tiny land area so the ecosystem is dominated by its reef habitats but is also home to many seafaring bird species.
The remoteness of Palmyra Atoll makes a great refuge for the flying wildlife but it is also one of the most untouched virgin coral reefs in the world, harboring a cornucopia of reef life including many coral species that we would just love to encounter for ourselves. Ryan’s photographs actually focused on the unique corals he saw in Palmyra are a virtual passport to the mostly unknownMontipora dilatatawhich is unlike any Monti species that reefers might be familiar with.
The reef aquarium hobby enjoys a wide range ofMontipora具有纯粹分支生长形式和严格镀层生长形式的物种，有时两种形态都有一点点，但Montipora dilatatadevelops an indeterminate growth form that is a blend of both. The thick tiers are not continuous and somewhat separated as if to evoke a more branching growth form that approximates theLeng Sy Cap‘s green base and purple edged rim.
This kind of super dense, ultra thick growth form is expected fromMontipora在这个令人印象深刻的4米浅深度中生长Montipora dilatatawas observed but we have no doubt this species would greatly transform under dimmer and lower energy conditions of a reef aquarium, not to mention the flattering blue-heavy lighting. There are over 85 species ofMontiporacurrently recognized with many more yet to be discovered or recognized as unique but for now we can definitely look towards exotic coral reef regions of the world for inspiration as to what other species we might one day enjoy in our aquariums. [cotw]
