831 species

Acropora carduus

(Dana, 1846)

Acropora

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies form bottlebrush thickets with upright or prostrate main branches. Axial and incipient axial corallites are short and tapered. Radial corallites are small and pocket-shaped. All corallites have thick walls.

Colour: Uniform pale brown or cream, rarely blue or mauve. Extremeties are white.

Similar Species: Acropora subglabra, which forms more open branches and has less numerous radial corallite with thinner walls. See also A. longicyathus and A. elseyi.

Habitat: Deep water or protected reef backs and lagoons.

Abundance: Common.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change