Acropora gomezi
Veron, 2000
This species is poorly known and may be more widely distributed than this.
Description: Colonies are arborescent with straight tapered branches forming thickets. Sub-branches form at obtuse angles. Axial corallites are prominent and tubular. Radial corallites are small and curved near branch tips, becoming tubular further down branches where they project perpendicularly and are only slightly curved. These become incipient axial corallites which have small pocket-shaped radial corallites around their bases. All corallites have thick walls with rounded openings.
Color: Pale brown with white axial corallites.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Similar Species: Acropora parilis and A. exquisita, both of which have finer branches and smaller corallites. See also A. pectinatus.
Taxonomic note: See ‘New species described in Corals of the World’ (Veron, in preparation) for further information. Source reference: Veron (2000).
A thicket, showing characteristic branching pattern. Calamian Islands, Philippines Photograph: Charlie Veron
Skeletal detail. Axial and radial corallites.
Branch detail. Flores, Indonesia Photograph: Charlie Veron