Quote:
posted by akaslyguy
...I need to know if anyone can tell me what species of sps this is. This is one of the best pics (color wise) that I have taken....
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Hey Joe,
Biggest problem with ID'ing acroporiods fro photographs is that their color, their general morphology, and even the arraingment of the coralites drastically change with the conditions that they have been growing under from their original settlement of the pelagic form of a specie until the time of the photograph. Even with frags that all have the same original morphology, placement will determine the final appearance (morphology) of the colony. Colors can change with differing lighting (they may even change color if the recruit new zooxanthellae), The general shape of the colony will change to maximize current conditions (corymbose vs. plate vs. aboral vs. etc.) The plasticity of the morphology of corals is best demonstrated by
Pocillopora damicornis, who's changes are demonstrated in the change from the birdnest like skeleton of the
high energy reeftop colonies to the plate corals found in deep fore reef colonies. Much to consider, more info later,
Hope this helps, best to expect is a ID to the genus level and limiting the final ID to a few spp. skeletal id ousing the keys will positively ID the coral.
"A BRW Original"
