Pocillopora verrucosa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
Rasp coral
Pocillopora verrucosa
photo by Rusconi, Gianemilio

Family:  Pocilloporidae ()
Max. size:  30 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 54 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Colonies irregularly branching (ramose), less than 30 cm in diameter, covered with verrucae; corallites plocoid, about 0.1 cm across, found both on verrucae and in between. Stout branches usually more than 1 cm in diameter, but varies with exposure to water movement and depth. Colonies growing in shallow water or exposed to wave action tend to have thick sturdy branches while those from deep calm waters tend to have thinner branches. Color is mottled light brown in life and skeleton usually has reddish brown patches after cleaning (Ref. 269).
Biology:  Maximum depth from Ref. 98471.
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 03 January 2008 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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