Fragile plate coral

Morphology

This colonial species of coral that grows in large horizontal plates > 3 m across. These are formed of interlocking hoziontal branches from which many finely structured branchlets grow vertically. The colony branches may fuse together and near the centre the plates may become a thick and robust.

Evolution

This species belongs to the highly diverse Family Acroporidae.

Behaviour

This species is a zooxanthellate organism meaning that it houses a small photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) through which it obtains energy.

Method of reproduction

Hermaphrodite; Spawner

Habitat

Marine

This species occurs in shallow, tropical reef environments. It is found on upper reef slopes and lagoons. It is found subtidally on reef slopes and submerged reefs, not usually intertidally.

Distribution

Found in tropical waters across the Indo-Pacific. In Western Australia, most commonly encountered on the offshore reef of the north west shelf.

Life Cycle

Broadcast spawner, where gametes are release for external fertilization and the planulae develops in the plankton.