Acropora nana
Studer, 1878
Description: Colonies are compact clumps of long, non-tapering, straight, equidistant branchlets radiating from a solid base. Axial corallites are tubular with rounded margins. Radial corallites are long, tubular and appressed. The whole colony is delicate and branchlets readily break apart.
Color: Cream, blue or purple, usually with purple branch tips.
Habitat: Outer reef flats where currents or wave action is strong.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Similar Species: Acropora valida can be very similar when in wave washed habitats where it is distinguished by having thicker branchlets and chunkier radial corallites. See also A. azurea.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Wallace (1984), Wallace (1999). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
This species is usually found in intertidal habitats exposed to strong wave action. Scott Reef, Western Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Branches are easily broken although they can withstand strong wave action. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Neat, evenly spaced branchlets with elongate radial corallites. Ryukyu Islands, Japan Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.