An annotated and illustrated checklist of species of the coral genus Acropora (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from Vamizi Island, Mozambique Author Sola, Erwan Author Silva, Isabel Marques da Author Glassom, David text African Invertebrates 2015 2015-12-31 56 3 807 807 http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.5733/afin.056.0320 journal article 10.5733/afin.056.0320 2305-2562 7914925 Acropora valida (Dana, 1846) Fig. 31 Colony growth form : Small corymbose or caespitose, giving well-pruned cushion-shaped colonies growing isolated or in moderate single-species stands. Axial corallites : Outer diameter 1.8–2.9 mm ; inner diameter 0.7–1.3 mm ; prominent, with wide round opening; first-cycle septa are well developed and have a smooth edge; secondary septa are present but reduced. Radial corallites : Tubular-appressed or slightly nariform, opening is round; usually similar in size and touching; primary septa are small and dentate, and secondary cycle can be present or not. Coenosteum : Reticulate with densely arranged lines of spinules, throughout; may resemble costae on radial corallites. Remarks: This species is known for its considerable growth-form plasticity ( Veron & Wallace 1984 ). The present identification relies mainly on the characteristic tubular-appressed radial corallites (slightly swollen), their level of crowding on branches, and the structure of the coenosteum, which is consistent with descriptions in the available literature.