Hermatypic Coral Fauna of Subtropical Southeast Africa: A Checklist

Abstract

The South African hermatypic coral fauna consists of 96 species in 42 scleractinian genera, one stoloniferous octocoral genus (Tubipora), and one hermatypic hydrocoral genus (Millepora). There are more species in southern Mozambique, with 151 species in 49 scleractinian genera, one stoloniferous octocoral (Tubipora musica L.), and one hydrocoral (Millepora exaesa [Forskal)). The eastern African coral faunas of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa are compared and Southeast Africa distinguished as a biogeographic subregion, with six endemic species. Patterns of attenuation and species composition are described and compared with those on the eastern boundaries of the Indo-Pacific in the Pacific Ocean.