831 species

Acropora pharaonis

(Milne Edwards, 1860)

Acropora

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies are large horizontal tables or irregular clusters of horizontal or upright interlinked contorted branches. Branches are pointed and have short branchlets which link main branches. Axial corallites are small and incipient axial corallites are abundant giving branches a spiky surface. Radial corallites are appressed, with nariform openings.

Colour: Grey-brown, usually with pale branch tips.

Similar Species: Resembles several thick plate-forming species. Acropora clathrata, which has more highly fused branches without abundant incipient axial corallites, and A. plumosa, which has larger and more open branches with less development of branchlets which lack abundant incipient axial corallites. See also A. parapharaonis.

Habitat: Sheltered reef slopes.

Abundance: Common.

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