Acropora samoensis
Brook, 1892
This species shows wide geographic distribution.
Description: Colonies are digitate, corymbose or prostrate, with curved branches which only slightly taper. Colonies may be over one metre across. Axial corallites are dome-shaped and more than twice the size of radial corallites. Radial corallites are of two sizes, thick walled, tubular, and only slightly increase in size down branches. Incipient axial corallites and branchlets develop towards the base of branches.
Color: Usually purple, blue (which may photograph pink) or cream.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar Species: Acropora sarmentosa and A. humilis. See also A. torresiana, which has radial corallites of uniform size.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Wallace (1984), Wallace (1999). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A clump, showing the usual branching pattern of the species. Middleton reef, south-east Australia Photograph: Ed Lovell
Corallite detail. Cook Islands Photograph: Gustav Paulay
Branch detail, showing the thick walled radial corallites. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Jim Maragos
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.
A small plate. Sinai Peninsula, Egypt Photograph: Charlie Veron