Anacropora reticulata
Veron and Wallace, 1984
Description: Branches are widely spaced, up to 14 millimetres thick and tapered, with blunt tips. The coenosteum is composed of fine rows of fused spinules (visible underwater) forming a reticulate pattern. Corallites have a prominent lower lip and may be aligned in rows down branches.
Color: Pale brown.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Rare.
Similar Species: Anacropora forbesi, which has finer branches and a non-reticulate coenosteum. See also A. spumosa.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Veron and Wallace (1984). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
The typical irregular branching pattern. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Corallites and coenosteum.
Showing smooth rounded corallites and a coenosteum with a reticulate pattern. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron