Anacropora

Lore & Background

Members of the genus Anacropora are generally fragile corals with branches less than ten centimetres long that form small colonies. The branches are either spreading or clustered and are sometimes fused together. The calices are rounded and up to one millimetre in diameter, and the area between them is porous with numerous small tubercles. There are no axial corallites, and the main septa number six with a few more subsidiary ones. The small radial corallites have an ‘empty’ appearance similar to Montipora, and the delicate tentacles can often be seen extended during the day.

These corals occur in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, being found mostly in muddy waters. They are generally uncommon and are not a reef species. The genus includes seven described species: Anacropora forbesi, Anacropora matthai, Anacropora pillai, Anacropora puertogalerae, Anacropora reticulata, Anacropora spinosa, and Anacropora spumosa.

Reader's Guide

Anacropora is significant as a genus of stony corals within the Acroporidae family, distinguished by its fragile, branching colonies and absence of axial corallites. Its seven known species are found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, primarily in muddy waters, and are generally uncommon, not occurring on reefs. This habitat preference sets it apart from many other stony corals. The genus is sometimes called briar corals, and its delicate tentacles are often visible during the day. The species list includes names associated with researchers such as Ridley, Pillai, Veron, Nemenzo, Wallace, Rehberg, Turak, and DeVantier, reflecting a history of taxonomic work. The porous skeleton with small tubercles and the ‘empty’ appearance of radial corallites, similar to Montipora, are key morphological traits. As an uncommon, non-reef coral, Anacropora contributes to the diversity of coral habitats in muddy environments, though its ecological role is not detailed in the source.

Did You Know?

• Anacropora is sometimes called briar corals.
• There are seven known species in the genus.
• The branches are less than ten centimetres long and the calices are up to one millimetre in diameter.
• They occur mostly in muddy waters and are not a reef species.