New and Previous Records of Scleractinian Corals from Clipperton Atoll, Eastern Pacific

Abstract

Clipperton Atoll was visited from 23 to 25 November 1997. A total of 109 specimens of stony corals belonging to two orders, seven families, and 15 species was collected. Five taxa of Scleractinia represent new records for the atoll: Porites lutea, Porites australiensis, Psammocora superficialis, Astrangia sp., and Balanophylliasp. With these new records and species previously reported in the literature, the total number of scleractinians now known at Clipperton Atoll is 18 species. Observations on the fossil terraces on the island and on the dead coral fauna of the inner lagoon are presented.