Abstract
Abstract All species of the scleractinian coral genusAcroporapresently known to occur in south-east Africa (denoting the African coast south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and including the atoll Bassas da India in the Mozambique channel) are reviewed. Twenty-three species are discussed, most of which are of wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Field and laboratory characteristics of all species are described in detail. Species richness in southern Mozambique is much higher (23 species) than in South Africa (14 species), probably due to the higher ecological differentiation of Mozambiquan reefs. TheAcroporafauna of the atoll Bassas da India is similar to that of Mozambique but with two additional speciesA. PaniculataandA.cf.striata.Compared to other coral reef areas in similar latitudes, the south-east AfricanAcroporafauna is of average diversity. An identification key to all species is provided.
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