A Revision of the Hard Coral Genus Acropora Oken, 1815 (Scleractinia: Astrocoeniina: Acroporidae) in South-East Africa

All species of the scleractinian coral genus Acropora presently known to occur in south‐east Africa (denoting the African coast south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and including the atoll Bassas da India in the Mozambique channel) are reviewed. Twenty‐three species are discussed, most of which are of wide Indo‐Pacific distribution. Field and laboratory characteristics of all species are described in detail. Species richness in southern Mozambique is much higher (23 species) than in South Africa (14 species), probably due to the higher ecological differentiation of Mozambiquan reefs. The Acropora fauna of the atoll Bassas da India is similar to that of Mozambique but with two additional species A. paniculata and A. cf. striata. Compared to other coral reef areas in similar latitudes, the south‐east African Acropora fauna is of average diversity. An identification key to all species is provided.