©Andy: Macro image of the previous colony of Acropora intermedia showing the typical form of the Axial and radial corallites
©Andy: Acropora intermedia at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island in Jul 2017. This colony survived the 2016 and 2017 bleaching events.
Colours
Distinguishing features
This species has a staghorn morphology, with long tapering branches and an open growth form. The axial polyp is small and lightly coloured, while radial corallites are rasp-like and often seen in various sizes. Colours include cream, brown, blue, yellow and green. Distinguish from A. muricata which has tubular radial corallites, with little variation in size. This species was formally known as A. nobilis.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
species: Acropora muricata
has slightly smaller, more closely spaced radial corallites that tend to a tubular or slightly dimidiate opening, with many different sized corallites all mixed together. (Contributed by Andy Lewis) - Animalia: species: Acropora grandis
Comments
Veron (2000) refers to this species as Acropora nobilis, which is considered a synonym of Acropora robusta (WORMS accessed 21 Sep 2016).
by Anne Hoggett
Distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Lagoons and back reef areas.
Abundant in shallow habitats around Lizard Island.
Behaviour
Like most Acroporidae, this species is a hermaphrodite broadcast spawner, releasing gametes shortly after dark in the few days after the full moon in the warmer months between November and February. It does not transfer zooxanthellae to the planula larvae however.
Web resources
References
- Baird, A.H., J.R. Guest and B.L. Willis (2009). Systematic and biogeographical patterns in the reproductive biology of scleractinian corals, Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 40: 551-571.
- Baird, A.H. and T.P. Hughes (2000). Competitive dominance by tabular corals: an experimental analysis of recruitment and survival of understorey assemblages, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 251: 117-132. LIRS catalog number 602.
- Berumen, M.L. (2000). Influence of diet and habitat on the condition of butterflyfish, M.Sc. thesis, James Cook University. LIRS catalog number 719.
- View all references