Subgenus Isopora

Studer, 1878

A. (I.) brueggemanni (7)

Type species: Acropora (Isopora) palifera (Lamarck, 1816)

Total number of species estimated: 4

Characteristics: Corals zooxanthellate, branched with an encrusting base. Branches with multiple axial polyps and many radial ones, which are generally tube-shaped. The coenosteum is light reticulate, spinose, or costate, or pseudocostate (modified from Wallace 1999). Colour predominantly brown or cream (due to zooxanthellae); corals may also appear white or green.

Ecology: A. (Isopora) palifera is common on reef flats and upper reef slopes, A. (I.) brueggemanni on slopes. Other species usually uncommon to rare.

Range: Indo-West Pacific.

Additional remarks: Branches are generally thicker than in A. (Acropora).

Key references: Veron and Wallace, 1984; Wallace, 1997, 1999; Wallace and Wolstenholme 1998.

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