Anacropora reticulata

Anacropora reticulata is a colonial stony coral in the family Acroporidae, distinguished by its delicate, arborescent branching structure formed from small, tubular corallites arranged in a net-like (reticulate) pattern. Like other scleractinian corals, it is a colonial cnidarian that secretes a calcium carbonate skeleton and hosts photosynthetic zooxanthellae, which supply the majority of its energy needs. Colonies contribute to the physical framework of reef habitats, providing structural complexity that supports associated invertebrate and fish communities in shallow lagoon and reef environments.

The species occurs across the Indo-Pacific, with records from Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, China, Palau, and Fiji. It inhabits marine neritic zones, typically in sheltered, shallow reef flats and lagoons.

The species is classified as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend. Threats include destructive fishing and harvesting practices, recreational activities such as anchoring and diving, disease outbreaks and invasive species, and pollution from domestic wastewater and agricultural runoff. Habitat alteration linked to coastal development and shifting environmental conditions further compounds these pressures, and cumulative sedimentation and nutrient loading reduce water quality critical to coral health.

Conservation efforts rely largely on broader reef protection frameworks, including marine protected areas within its range states, water quality regulations, and international trade controls under CITES, which lists Acroporidae corals.

Given its restricted colony form, sensitivity to water quality, and exposure to multiple compounding stressors across a wide but fragmented range, the species' long-term outlook remains precarious without sustained reef-wide protective measures.