Isopora palifera (Lamarck, 1816)
Catch bowl coral
Isopora palifera
photo by FAO

Family:  Acroporidae ()
Max. size: 
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific. Tropical to subtropical.
Diagnosis:  Colonies are formed of thick encrustations that develop atout (usually less than 10 cm in diameter), vertical, irregulary shaped branches, depending on exposure to wave action. May dominate wave-washed communities due to its solid construction. Axial corallites are difficult to distinguish due to the large area of branch tip. Many colonies consist of less than 12 main branches (Ref. 269).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 03 January 2008 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:  M: Refs. 269, 846.

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