Acropora clathrata

(Brook, 1891)


Shows wide geographic variation.

Description: Colonies are tables, usually side-attached, with generally horizontal radiating anastomosing branches which may form an almost solid plate. There is usually no development of vertical branchlets. Radial corallites are immersed to tubular, with nariform openings.
Color: Brown, grey or green, often with pale margins.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes, back reef margins and fringing reefs.
Abundance: Common.
Similar Species: Acropora plumosa. Acropora glauca from far southern localities may have a very similar growth-form. See also A. tutuilensis and A. downingi.

None

Almost solid plates of fused radiating branches are common. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Mary Stafford-Smith


Some colonies are very large. The central parts are usually fused into a solid plate. Pemba Island, Tanzania Photograph: Charlie Veron


Forming irregularly dissected plates. Pemba Island, Tanzania Photograph: Charlie Veron


Branch detail. Ashmore Reef, Western Australia. Photograph: Charlie Veron


Colony forming a nearly solid plate. Bali, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron


Skeletal detail. Radial corallites.
Based on Australian Institute of Marine Science data