831 species

Acropora seriata

(Ehrenberg, 1834)

Acropora

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies are compact aggregations of fused upright branches, flat plates, or tiers of plates. Colonies exposed to wave action have extensive encrusting bases and may form solid plates several metres across. Upright branches develop on colonies in protected lagoons. Axial corallites and incipient axial corallites are small and similar. Radial corallites are thick walled, tubular and appressed, and usually have a wall on the outer side only.

Colour: Uniform green or brown.

Similar Species: Acropora glauca, which has thicker tubular corallites and A. florida which has less fusion of branches. See also A. forskali and A. lutkeni.

Habitat: Shallow lagoons and foreshores exposed to wave action.

Abundance: Uncommon.

Taxonomic Note: Wallace (1999) considered this species 'unresolved'. Despite its wide range of growth forms, our treatment of this species here accords well with Ehrenberg's original description and type specimen.

Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a);

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