Acropora muricata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Staghorn coral
French : Corail ramure commun

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Scleractinia
Family : Acroporidae
Notes : No subspecies known. A. formosa is treated as a synonym.

Identification
Colonies are arborescent and can grow up to 10 meters across. Cylindrical branches with well visible tubular polyp structures. Branches are compact in shallow waters, less so in deeper waters. Coloration greenish to cream or brown.

Range and habitat
Indo-Pacific from Red Sea to South Africa, east to French Polynesia. Occurs on reef slopes and fringes but mostly in lagoons, in turbid waters and strong-current areas, at variable depth as long as sunlight can reach them.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED as A. formosa
CITES : Appendix II
Status : Acropora corals are very sensitive to changes in their environment and the effects of global warming and water pollution are enough to kill entire colonies. The species is threatened by habitat and water quality degradation.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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