Acropora mossambica Riegl, 1995

Wallace, Carden C., Done, Barbara J. & Muir, Paul R., 2012, Revision and catalogue of worldwide staghorn corals Acropora and Isopora (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) in the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Memoirs of the Queensland Museu Nature 57, pp. 1-258 : 132

Acropora mossambica Riegl, 1995

( Fig. 64 )

Acropora mossambica Riegl, 1995: 240–41, figs 8–9.

Type locality. Xai Xai, Mozambique (holotype ORI). MTQ Holdings. Socotra: G56963; Kenya: G59599– 604; Mayotte: G63307; Seychelles: G51888, G59552, G59560, G59573; Mauritius: G51846, G51880; Maldives: G59768, G59869–71, G60380; Australia: G60399, G60401, G60412 South-East.

Species group: nasuta .

Description. Colony outline: determinate, predominantly corymbose. Branches: tertiary branching order absent; length: <25 mm; diameter: 10.0–19.9 mm, 50/50 axial/radial, terete; radial crowding: most touching; axial/radial ratio:>1:10. Axial corallites: greater than three synapticular rings; porous; outer diameter 1.1–2 mm; inner diameter 0.8–0.9 mm; primary

septa to ¾ R. Radial corallites: medium; three synapticular rings; one size or graded; inner wall developed; shape: nariform; openings: ovalrounded; primary septa to ¼ R. Coenosteum: same on and between radials: reticulate; spinule shape: elaborate.

Taxonomic note. This was not included as a valid species in Wallace, 1999. The work of Mangubhai & Harrison (200 6), on reproduction of Acropora species in Kenya has shown it to be a valid species with reproducing populations in that area. Its range may extend into the Pacific Ocean (M. Adjeroud, pers. comm.).

Further literature. Veron (2000).

Figures

FIG. 64. Acropora mossambica, G63307, Mayotte, East Indian Ocean, 2010 (photo: P. Muir). Map of documented distribution: blue squares = MTQ specimens; pink squares = literature records; orange diamonds = type localities (where given), including primary synonyms.