831 species

Acropora efflorescens

(Dana, 1846)

Acropora

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies are extensive flat plates which are solid except towards the perimeter which usually consists of highly fused irregular branches. They may exceed 2 metres across. Upright branchlets are usually present.Axial and radial corallites are not differentiated; all have sharp rims. Corallites at plate margins are mostly horizontal, those on upper plate surfaces are short, compact and upward facing. There is little or no development of corallites on the undersurfaces of plates.

Colour: Uniform dark grey or green with distinctively coloured margins.

Similar Species: Acropora clathrata, which has less fusion of branches and inclined radial corallites. See also A. branchi.

Habitat: Steep reef slopes.

Abundance: Rare.

Taxonomic Note: The holotype at YPM was considered a junior synonym of Acropora cytherea by Wallace (1999) and Wallace, Done and Muir (2012). Both species were described by Dana (1846) with A. efflorescens preceding A. cytherea. We recognise both species based on characteristic differences in the field, notably the typical solidity of the highly fused plates of A. efflorescens, as illustrated. Both Dana (1846) and Brook (1893) noted that colonies can become vasiform.

Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a);

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