Shape & Structure

Table & Plate Corals

Table corals grow outward in horizontal sheets. This growth form is common in the genus Acropora.

Madrepora spicifera

Synonomized: 
Acropora spicifera
Location Collected: 
Singapore, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 244
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale

Compared to other growth forms, table and plate corals tend to be more vulnerable to bleaching events and storm damage.

Madrepora surculosa

Synonomized: 
Acropora hyacinthus
Location Collected: 
Tahiti, French Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 251
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
living coral colony
Credit: Susanna Pershern / NPS

Coral species that develop in a table growth form typically grow in horizontal plates, so this specimen is likely displayed 90 degrees  from its natural position

Echinopora reflexa

Synonomized: 
Echinopora lamellosa (Esper 1795)
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 164
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
living coral colony
Credit: Emre Turak and Lyndon DeVantier
corallite close-up showing coral scale

Branching Corals

Branching corals have tree-like shapes, with fast-growing branches reaching upwards towards the sea surface.

Madrepora robusta

Synonomized: 
Acropora robusta
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 297
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale

  

Madrepora formosa

Synonomized: 
Acropora muricata (Linnaeus 1758)
Location Collected: 
Sulu Sea, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 292
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
living coral - thicket of branches
Thicket of compact branches Credit: Charlie Veron / Corals of the World
showing coral scale corallite close-up

  

Acropora valenciennesi

Location Collected: 
Aulong Island, Palau, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 47056
Described by: 
Alphonse Milne-Edwards, 1860
Date collected: 
October 17, 1973

This is a macro (close-up) shot of this specimen. You can view the whole colony in Ecosystem Engineers.

Merulina rigida

Synonomized: 
Hydnophora rigida
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 148
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale coral branch coral branch close-up

The origin of many species names are derived from Greek and Latin roots, often with direct, descriptive meaning. The species name florida does not pertain to the location, but instead stems from the Latin flōreō + -idus, meaning ‘blooming’, ‘flowery’, or ‘florid’.

Madrepora florida

Synonomized: 
Acropora florida
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 282
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale corallite close-up

  

Madrepora horrida

Synonomized: 
Acropora horrida
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 291
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale close-up coral branch with scale bar

  

Madrepora cuneata

Synonomized: 
Isopora cuneata
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 334
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale

Massive Corals

This colony grows in a massive growth form. When used to describe coral, the term ‘massive’ describes its dense and solid shape, and does not necessarily mean it is large in size. Massive species are slow-growing and generally tolerant of temperature fluctuations and rough wave action.

Astraea (Orbicella) coronata

Synonomized: 
Astrea curta
Location Collected: 
Wake Island, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 58
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
corallite close-up

Though this particular colony has a massive growth form, this species also occurs as flat, encrusting structures.

Pseudodiploria strigosa

Location Collected: 
Florida Keys, United States of America, Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 1137708
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
July 1932 - August 1932
picture of encrusting coral
Encrusting growth form. Credit: NOAA
picture of coral massive growth form
Massive growth form. Credit: NOAA
showing coral scale

  

Astraea (Fissicella) pulchra

Synonomized: 
Astrea sp. (Taxon inquirendum)
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 74
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale corallite close-up

Pillar / Columnar Corals

Pillar corals grow in vertical cylinders and do not form secondary branches.

Goniopora columna

Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 5781
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
coral sketch by Dr. Dana
A sketch of G. columna from Dr. Dana's publication Corals and Coral Islands
living coral colony
Long polyps extend far from the coral’s skeleton "Goniopora columna from Maldives” by Hectonichus is licenced under CC BY-SA 4.0

  

Psammocora columna

Synonomized: 
Coscinaraea columna
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 188
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
coral ridges close-up showing coral scale

Taxonomists often use distinct corallite structures to identify a species. The corallites of Porites colonies are very small and appear crowded.

Porites monticulosa

Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 664
Type: 
Holotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale
living branching coral colony
Colonies composed of compact branches. Credit: Charlie Veron / Corals of the World

Encrusting Corals

  

Manopora capitata

Synonomized: 
Montipora capitata
Location Collected: 
Hawaii, United States of America, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 305
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
branchse of living coral colony
Montipora capitata branches Credit: Charlie Veron / Corals of the World
showing coral scale showingn close-up coral scale

  

Montipora danae

Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 307
Type: 
Lectotype
Described by: 
Alphonse Milne-Edwards & Jules Haime, 1851
Date collected: 
1838-1842
surface of living coral colony
Montipora danae surface detail Credit: Mary Stafford-Smith / Corals of the World
coral scale close-up showing coral scale

  

Manopora nodosa

Synonomized: 
Montipora nodosa
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 317
Type: 
Lectotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
corallite close-up

Free-Living Corals

This coral is in the family of Fungiidae, commonly referred to as mushroom corals, which are all solitary in their growth forms. Solitary corals can develop their own stable habitat in regions where it may be unsuitable for typical coral growth.

A common name for this solitary species is ‘slipper coral’.

Herpetolithus crassus

Synonomized: 
Herpolitha limax
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 160
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
coral close-up

Foliose Corals

  

Pavonia praetorta

Synonomized: 
Pavona cactus (Forskål, 1775)
Location Collected: 
Society Islands, Tahiti, French Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 152
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale coral close-up with id number corallite close-up
Photo of living coral colony
Credit: Bryan Harry / NPS

  

Leptoseris gardineri

Location Collected: 
Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 93447
Described by: 
Cornelius van der Horst, 1922
Date collected: 
June 5, 1992
living coral fronds
variation in the shape of fronds Credit: Jim Maragos / Corals of the World

Ecomorphs

Although a coral species may have a typical growth form, colony shape can vary. Coral development and morphology is strongly influenced by their environmental conditions, and the term ‘ecomorph’ describes distinctive ecological and morphological traits unique to a certain region or habitat.

Pocillopora damicornis

Location Collected: 
Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, North Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 44359
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Date collected: 
1946
Chart of coral ecomorphs
Ecomorphs of P. damicornis described by Schmidt-Roach et al. 2012

  

Pocillopora damicornis

Location Collected: 
Noumea, New Caledonia, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 81450
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Date collected: 
June 19, 1971
A living P. damicornis colony
A living P. damicornis colony. Credit: Eva DiDonato / NPS
Chart of coral ecomorphs
Ecomorphs of P. damicornis described by Schmidt-Roach et al. 2012

  

Pocillopora damicornis

Location Collected: 
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 46926
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Chart of coral ecomorphs
Ecomorphs of P. damicornis described by Schmidt-Roach et al. 2012

Coral species can reproduce sexually or asexually. When a sexually produced, motile larvae settle on a rock (or substrate) it metamorphoses into a coral polyp. This single polyp reproduces asexually to grow other polyps, forming a colony.

Pocillopora damicornis

Location Collected: 
Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, Indian Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 1128565
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Date collected: 
September 4, 1967
Chart of coral ecomorphs
Ecomorphs of P. damicornis described by Schmidt-Roach et al. 2012

  

Pocillopora damicornis

Location Collected: 
Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 93379
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Date collected: 
May 29, 1992
Chart of coral ecomorphs
Ecomorphs of P. damicornis described by Schmidt-Roach et al. 2012

Reef Structures

Coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate that build their skeletal structure and grow colonies. When groups of coral colonies are well established, they form a reef, which can be classified as fringing, patch, atoll, or barrier.

Fringing Reefs
The most common reef formations found around the world are ‘fringing’ reefs, which form close to shore are generally still attached to the coast. These coral reef habitats are shallow and exposed during low tide. The largest fringing reef in the world is found along Ningaloo Coast, on the western side of Australia.

Acropora digitifera

Location Collected: 
Saudi Arabia, Red Sea, Indian Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 48086
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1977
corallite close-up
Detail of branchlets Credit: Neville Coleman / Corals of the World
showing coral scale
Coral reef
Credit: Ben Mieremet / NOAA

Patch Reefs
Reefs that occur in small, isolated spots are known as patch reefs. They are typically found in shallow waters on a continental shelf, between fringing and barrier reefs.

Madrepora tenuis

Synonomized: 
Acropora tenuis
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 259
Type: 
Syntype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
corallite close-up
Corallite detail Credit: Ed Lovell/ Corals of the World
showing coral scale
Living coral colony
Credit: Eva DiDonato / NPS
Photo of patch reefs in Belize
Patch reefs of Gladden Caye in Belize. Credit: Gladden Cay Private Island

Atoll Reefs
Atolls reefs form as volcanoes recede and subside below the water level, leaving ring-like fringing reefs behind. The most famous atoll reef, Lighthouse Reef, surrounds the Great Blue Hole in Belize. In 1996, this reef along with six other protected areas was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS).

Manopora caliculata

Synonomized: 
Montipora caliculata
Location Collected: 
Fiji, South Pacific Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 335
Type: 
Lectotype
Described by: 
James Dwight Dana, 1846
Date collected: 
1838-1842
showing coral scale
Blue circle of water surrounded by reefs
The Great Blue Hole and surrounding Lighthouse Reef in Belize. Credit: Tony Rath / SI Ocean Portal

Barrier Reefs
Barrier reefs grow parallel to shorelines, separated from land by a lagoon. Barrier reefs are important geological structures that protect  human communities and shorelines from erosion and infrastructural damage. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia spans a distance of 1429 miles (2300 km) along the eastern edge of the continental shelf.

Diploria labyrinthiformis

Location Collected: 
Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, Caribbean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog number: 
USNM 74947
Described by: 
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Date collected: 
August 10, 1985
Close-up of coral grooves
Notice the retracted tentacles in the valleys. The ambulacral grooves are wider than the valleys. Credit: Neville Coleman / Corals of the World
showing coral scale
Satellite image of the Great Barrier Reef
Satellite image of the Great Barrier Reef. Credit: NASA