Acropora prostrata
Dana, 1846
Description: Colonies form corymbose or irregular cushions with thin elongate branches. Axial corallites are tubular in shape. Radial corallites are all the same size. They have prominent lower lips giving a scale-like appearance.
Color: Dull creamy-brown, pink or blue (which may photograph purple), usually with distinctively coloured radial corallite lips.
Habitat: Reef slopes and lagoons.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Acropora convexa, which has a more corymbose growth-form. See also A. millepora and A. pulchra, which have radial corallites of similar shape, but of mixed sizes.
Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic reference: Dana’s original description/specimens.
Colonies are usually irregular clumps. Bali, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron
Detail of branches. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron
Surface of a clump. Vietnam Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.
Detail of branches. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron