Table Coral

zooxanthellate

This species forms horizontal tables, often with additional whorls and plates. The branchlets anastomose strongly, so that the central portions of tables may become solid plates. Branchlets almost never turn upwards, but remain in the plane of the plate. Radial corallites are noticeably rounded and more smooth than in Acropora cytherea. This species is widespread but usually not as abundant as the tabular species A. hyacinthus and A. cytherea. It prefers clear but sheltered areas (Sheppard, 1998 ). Colonies are tables with generally horizontal radiating, anastomosing branches which may form an almost solid plate. There is usually no development of vertical branches. Colour: brown or green, often with pale margins. Abundance: common on upper reef slopes, back reef margins and fringing reefs (Veron, 1986). Generally tabular in form. Branches radiate outwards and rejoin, partially forming a solid plate or table supported by an upright holdfast. Colonies rarely tiered. Colour: usually brown. Habitat: reef slopes (Richmond, 1997).