Incredible diversity on one small patch of reef in Watamu Marine Park. In this photo there at least 8 genra of coral all crowded and competing for sunlight. In the centre and bottom left there is Pocillopora, the bottom right is some encrusting Montipora, above this a small green patch of Galaxea. Along the top there is the winding lines of Platygyra on the left, next to a yellow branching Acropora, nestled next to a smooth brown Porites in the top right. In the middle there are two domed corals with circular coralites (pits) which are most probably Favites and Favia, although a closer look would be needed for these two. How and why all these corals are crowded together is difficult to know and as complex as any rainforest structure, with canopy Pocilloporas and Acroporas, which an understorey of creeping Monitpora and emergent Porites bursting through the structure to form smooth domes.
