831 species

Acropora rosaria

(Dana, 1846)

Acropora

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies are upright bushes or cushion-like. Main branches have secondary and tertiary sub-branches. Axial corallites are conspicuous and dome-shaped but not elongate. Radial corallites are bead- or pocket-like. All corallites have thick walls.

Colour: Usually cream or brown, sometimes bright blue or pink.

Similar Species: Acropora loripes, which has tubular axial corallites which may be naked on one side, and more widely spaced radial corallites.

Habitat: Shallow reef environments.

Abundance: Sometimes common.

Taxonomic Note: Wallace (1999) designated a lectotype, and considered it similar to Acropora loripes. These species require further taxonomic study. As illustrated here they can be separated by the more rounded to bead-like radial corallites of A. rosaria.

Taxonomic References: Wallace (1978); Veron (2000a); Wallace (1999);

Identification Guides: Nishihira and Veron (1995);

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