Definition
Astreopora listeri is a species of stony coral belonging to the family Acroporidae. It forms colonial skeletons that contribute to reef building in tropical marine environments.
Overview
Astreopora listeri is a zooxanthellate scleractinian coral found primarily in the Indo‑Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Triangle, and adjacent island archipelagos. The species inhabits shallow reef slopes and fore‑reef zones, typically at depths ranging from the surface to about 30 m. Like other members of the genus, it plays a role in providing habitat structure for a variety of reef-associated organisms.
Etymology / Origin
- Genus name: Astreopora derives from the Greek words ἀστήρ (astēr, “star”) and πόρος (poros, “pore” or “opening”), referring to the star‑shaped arrangement of its corallites.
- Species epithet: listeri is a patronym honoring the 19th‑century naturalist and physician Dr. Joseph Lister, who contributed to early coral taxonomy. The specific dedication is recorded in the original species description by von Müller (1880).
Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Colony form | Massive, encrusting to hemispherical; can reach several tens of centimeters in diameter. |
| Corallites | Small, closely packed, with a star‑shaped radial arrangement characteristic of the genus. |
| Skeletal structure | Composed of aragonite; exhibits moderate porosity and a porous external surface. |
| Coloration | Typically brown, tan, or greenish due to symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). |
| Reproduction | Both sexual (broadcast spawning of gametes) and asexual (fragmentation, extratentacular budding). |
| Ecology | Contributes to calcium carbonate deposition; provides refuge for fish, invertebrates, and algae. |
| Conservation status | Not assessed separately by the IUCN Red List; however, reef‑building corals in its range are generally susceptible to bleaching, ocean acidification, and anthropogenic disturbances. |
Related Topics
- Astreopora species – other members of the same genus, such as Astreopora myriophthalma and Astreopora gracilis.
- Scleractinia – the order of hard corals to which Astreopora listeri belongs.
- Coral reef ecology – interactions among reef‑building corals, fish, and other marine organisms.
- Coral bleaching – stress‑induced loss of symbiotic algae, a major threat to many Astreopora species.
- Ocean acidification – impacts on aragonite saturation state, affecting skeletal formation.
Note: Information presented reflects current scientific literature and taxonomic consensus as of 2026.