Acroporidae
Acropora pulchra
The Acroporidae are a family of stony corals ( Scleractinia ). Among them are the Acropora and Montipora the most species-rich genera of hard corals. In addition, there are the six species of the genus anacropora and 15 species of Astreopora.
Like most other stony corals live all Acroporidae in a symbiotic relationship with algae ( zooxanthellae ) that supply the Acropora with nutrients. They are therefore dependent on dark locations. The Acroporidae grow very rapidly, dominate in many places the reefs and form veritable monoculture.
Genera
- Acropora Oken, 1815
- Anacropora Ridley, 1884
- Astreopora Blainville, 1830
- Montipora Blainville, 1830