Acropora bifurcata
Nemenzo, 1971
Indistinct from A. hyacinthus outside the central Indo-Pacific.
Description: Colonies are wide flat plates and tables. Branches are thin, finely structured and widely spaced forming a delicate lattice network. Branchlets are fine and strongly inclined on the plate surface. Axial and incipient axial corallites are indistinguishable. Radial corallites are cup-shaped and are not arranged in rosettes.
Color: Pale branches with darker corallites.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Acropora cytherea, which has more compact branches and more upright branchlets. See also A. hyacinthus, which has thicker and more compact branches and radial corallites arranged in a rosette.
Taxonomic note: This species was formerly believed to be a synonym of Acropora hyacinthus. Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Nemenzo (1971).
Colony surface. Flores, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Surface detail of branches. Palau Photograph: Gustav Paulay
Colony surface. Seychelles Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.