Acropora selago
Studer, 1878
This species shows wide geographic variation.
Description: Colonies are corymbose clumps, cushion-shaped or prostrate, depending on the length of branchlets. Branchlets are thin and delicate. Axial corallites are long and tubular. Radial corallites are scale-like, lightly structured and do not form a rosette.
Color: Pale cream, brown, blue or pink. Tentacles are frequently extended during the day.
Habitat: A wide variety of environments from exposed upper reef slopes to turbid lagoons.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Similar Species: Acropora tenuis, which has thicker branchlets and radial corallites arranged in a rosette. See also A. insignis.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Wallace (1984), Wallace (1999). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
A small plate. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallite detail. Calamian Islands, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
A corymbose plate. Flores, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Corallite detail. Calamian Islands, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Radial corallites.
Showing branchlet shape. Flores, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron