©Andy: A colony of Isopora cuneata from the reef crest near South Island, showing the parallel ridge growth form of the species in high wave energy habitats
Distinguishing features
A robust species that forms pillows, ridges, and submassive clumps up to 2m in breadth. Clusters of axial polyps are found along the branch and ridge ends, and the radial corallites are rounded. Most specimens are pale brown. The con-generic Isopora palifera is also found at Lizard Island, and the two species can be difficult to seperate without biochemical analysis. I. palifera has slightly larger, elongate corallites and more robust branches, and is more abundant in sheltered back reef habitats.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Distribution and habitat preferences
High wave energy areas such as front reef slopes, reef crests, flats, and exposed back reef bommies.
Abundant in shallow, wave exposed habitats around Lizard Island.
Behaviour
The genus Isopora is unique amongst the Acroporidae in that the oocytes are fertilised inside the parent polyp, the larvae are brooded until release, and settlement can occur immeadiately. Colonies are simultaneous hermaphrodites, and planula release occurs throughout much of the year at Lizard Island.
Web resources
References
- Abrego, D., M.J.H. Van Oppen and B.L. Willis (2009). Onset of algal endosymbiont specificity varies among closely related species of Acropora corals during early ontogeny, Molecular Ecology, 18: 3532-3543.
- Ayre, D.J., J.E.N. Veron and S.L. Dufty (1991). The corals Acropora palifera and Acropora cuneata are genetically and ecologically distinct, Coral Reefs, 10(1): 13-18.
- 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.
- View all references