General Information

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: NATIVE e.Indian Ocean - French Polynesia COOK ISLANDS STATUS: Native; S.Group; ? N.Group; Marine, near-shore, moat, reef-flat lagoon, reef-flat, outer reef-flat, outer reef-slope KEY FEATURES: Small, branching, approx 25cmØ colony, cream, brown or pink in life. Branches covered in irregularly sized verrucae (wart-like processes); calices on all surfaces. SIMILAR SPECIES: Pocillopora meandrina lacks red-brown pigment at base of main branch (vs has red-brown pigment); and from the same habitat it has smaller verrucae (vs larger verrucae); and usually slightly larger calices & a little less development of septa (vs smaller calices & more septal development). The two species above can be so similar that local variations can sometimes make separation unrealistic , unless they are growing side by side, and you are a dedicated expert. Good luck!

Cook Islands Distribution

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Southern Group: Present    Makatea: Present
RR	MG	AT	MK	MT	AK	PL	TK	MN
++	P		P		P

Northern Group:
TN	MH	RK	PK	NS	SW

Pocillopora verrucosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
TAXONOMY: ANIMALIA; CNIDARIA (=Coelenterates); ANTHOZOA; ZOANTHARIA (=Hexacorallia); Scleractinia (=Madreporaria); POCILLOPORIDAE

IDENTIFICATION: COLONY small & branching, ~ 25cmØ, cream, brown or pink. Main branches ~1cmØ. Branches covered in irregularly sized verrucae. Main branch of bleached skeleton often red/brown. CALICES ~ 0.5 - 1.3mmØ. Circular with vertical walls on main branches. SEPTA 8 - 20 almost equal - vertical ridges covered in fine teeth or vertical rows of sharp spines projecting towards the calice centre (near branch tips & characteristic of the species). COLUMELLA usually absent, a low knob-like process, or bundle-like & fibrous in appearance.

Vouchers:
Rarotonga: specimen+photo, Muri lagoon, S.Miller (2001) ID per Veron (AIMS Mono Series), NHP#SM005; specimens, G.McCormack (1980s?), NHP#019 - 022.

References:
Special Reference: Veron, J.E.N. & Pichon, M. (1976). Scleractinia of Eastern Australia. Part 1. Families Thamnasteriidae, Astrocoeniidae, Pocilloporidae. Australian Institute of Marine Science Monograph Series 1. p 48-52.

Data Update History (information):
zTX, zB02, zM02, zD02

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