Is there a morphological character that differentiates Acropora cytherea and Acropora hyacynthus . I am unable to differentiate them in the field, Even when reviewing photographs I am unable to differentiate between. Is there any fool proof method or character that differentiates them ?
Would be greatly thankful for any advise on this dilemma.
Hi Nina,
The easiest way to distinguish both these species is by the protruding or exsert nature of the axial corallite in A. cytherea and the comparatively flattened not exsert axial corallite of A. hyacinthus and this of course is best observed when you view the coral colony from the side with the plate being parallel to your eyeline. And the other equally important and pronounced difference is the arrangement of the radial corallites around the branch. In A. cytherea they seem to be quite unevenly placed but even if they are more evenly arrange they never form rosettes as is the case in A. hyacinthus and again this can be best observed from directly above of the plate. Both these characters are more pronounced on the inside of the plate when compared to the branches at the edge of the plate. Also the branches of A. cytherea appear much thinner compared to the bushier and thicker (it is relative) ones of A. hyacinthus. Hope this is helpful.
Dear Roctim, Thankyou for taking time and interest in attaching the pages of "Staghorn Corals in the Andaman Sea, Thailand" by Niphon Phongsuwan. It was very helpful. I guess the most distinct difference is the rosette arrangement of radial coralites seen present in A. hyacynthus but absent in A . cytherea!
Dear Titus , Thank you for taking time to reply , I never thought of observing the coral from the side profile, and the rosette like arrangement of radial coralites in A. hyacynthus seem to be mentioned even in the book Roctim has sent, so I'm guessing it a very distinct character that pertains to A. hyacynthus .
Thank you both for taking interest.
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