A survey on the presence of Acropora clathrata (Brook, 1891) in the north of Persian Gulf: based on morphologic, morphometric and genetic analysis

Because of the morphological plasticity of corals, especially in Acropora, in response to the environmental variations, the taxonomical studies of this genus, has always been difficult. That was the main reason behind the introduction of ecomorphes as species in many instances. One of the misidentified cases is that of Acropora clathrata which has been reported from the north and northeastern of the Persian Gulf, several times. But the presence of this species in the Persian Gulf has been questioned for many years by researchers. To answer this question once and for all, 74 colonies of both forms of Acropora downingi, or the two supposed species, A. downingi and A. clathrata, from three islands Larak, Farur and Khark located along the east–west axis of the Persian Gulf, were sampled and studied from both morphological and molecular points of view. Results of morphological studies demonstrated that the observed variations in the studied characteristics, were indeed intraspecific variations and all of the specimens belonged to the same species, i.e. A. downingi. The results were also confirmed by molecular studies, signifying the absence of A. clathrata in, at least, the north and northeastern parts of the Persian Gulf, if not in the Persian Gulf in general. Therefore, it was the other form of A. downingi which has been misidentified as A. clathrata.