Acropora rongelapensis sp. nov., a new species of Acropora from the Marshall Islands (Scleractinia: Astrocoeniina: Acroporidae)

Abstract

A new coral species, Acropora rongelapensis, from the northern central Pacific Ocean is described. On present records, this species appears to be endemic to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Distinguishing features of the species include sub-flattened branches with widely separated radial corallites born laterally. Diagnostic characters of the new species place it within the Acropora loripes group.