Acropora is an especially important coral genus for branching reef structures on the Great Barrier Reef.
Acropora corals include branching, table-shaped and other rapidly growing forms. Their calcium carbonate skeletons create complex three-dimensional habitats used by reef fish, crustaceans and other marine animals. Many Acropora colonies can grow quickly when water quality, temperature and light are suitable.
The genus contains hundreds of species worldwide, and its members are common across the Indo-Pacific. On the Great Barrier Reef, Acropora is one of the most diverse and ecologically significant coral groups.
Acropora should not be confused with a single species. It is a genus, meaning it includes many related species. Porites is another major reef-building genus, but its colonies are often massive and dome-shaped rather than characteristically branching.