Acropora inermis
Brook, 1891
This species shows wide geographic variation.
Description: Colonies are usually open branched, becoming bushy on upper reef slopes and in shallow lagoons. Main branches may have compact branchlets giving colonies a bushy appearance. Corallites are widely spaced and vary greatly in size, the largest being appressed and tubular. The coenosteum is fine, giving branches a smooth appearance.
Color: Brown, with pale branch tips.
Habitat: Turbid water around fringing reefs.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Acropora proximalis. See also A. vaughani, which has more uniform, less appressed radial corallites and greater development of incipient axial corallites.
Taxonomic note: Acropora inermis was incorrectly synonymised with A. microphthalma by Veron and Wallace (1984). Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Brook’s original description/ specimens.
A compact colony in a lagoon. French Polynesia Photograph: Valerie Taylor
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.
Colonies are irregular tangles of branches. Flores, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron