A global team of researchers collaborating with Queensland Museum’s CoralBank has made remarkable discoveries that alter the family tree of one of the most renowned coral groups in the world, identifying five new species that were previously unknown to science. The research has transformed our understanding of one of the reef’s most ecologically important corals and has raised new questions regarding conservation efforts.
What was once thought to be a single, widespread coral species, Acropora hyacinthus, commonly referred to as table coral or tabling acropora, has now been found to consist of many different species. By employing advanced genomic techniques in conjunction with traditional taxonomic approaches, the researchers have determined that the lineage previously believed to include just three species of table coral is actually a complex group comprising at least 16 distinct species, five of which were entirely new to science. Some of these newly identified species are exclusive to Australian reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef and extending as far south as Lord Howe Island in New South Wales.
Newly identified species include: Acropora tersa, Acropora harriottae, Acropora uogi, Acropora nyinggulu, and Acropora kalindae
Dr. Sage Rassmussen, the lead author from the University of Technology Sydney, expressed that the findings were unexpected, highlighting that there is still much to discover about the reefs right in our own backyard.
“Table corals are some of the most familiar and beautiful corals on the reef, so we assumed they were well understood,” Dr. Rassmussen said. “But our research reveals the opposite—what was once considered a single, widespread species is actually a whole group of species with much smaller geographical ranges. This reshapes how we view the reef’s biodiversity and the roles these corals play. “It’s like realising the ‘one’ tree you’ve always seen in the rainforest is a dozen distinct species hiding in plain sight.”
The research, featured in Invertebrate Systematics, serves as a crucial reminder for the management and restoration of reefs. Species with limited distributions face a higher risk of extinction, particularly as coral bleaching and climate change impacts worsen throughout the Indo-Pacific. Among the five newly identified species is Acropora harriottae sp. nov., named in honour of the trailblazing Australian coral reef ecologist, Dr. Vicki Harriott. Another species, Acropora nyinggulu sp. nov., is commonly found on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. The name was selected in collaboration with the region’s Traditional Owners, the Baiyungu and Yinnigurrura people, as Nyinggulu is the traditional designation for the area.
Dr. Peter Cowman, Principal Scientist of Marine Biodiversity at Queensland Museum and an Associate Professor at James Cook University, stated that this study establishes a new global standard for how scientists classify coral species. “We combined the latest genome-scale DNA analysis and machine learning with a fresh look at century-old museum specimens to uncover evolutionary details we’ve never seen before,” Dr. Cowman said. “It’s like reading the coral’s genetic history book. This allows us to identify new species with much more confidence, and it reveals a hidden world of coral diversity that’s been right in front of us all along.”
This innovative research was made possible by analysing the DNA of newly gathered corals alongside historical specimens stored in the Queensland Museum’s State Collection and various museums worldwide. Dr. Tom Bridge, the Senior Curator of Corals at Queensland Museum and an Associate Professor at James Cook University, mentioned that data from over 5,000 coral colonies, which were collected and sequenced through Queensland Museum’s CoralBank Project, was crucial. “Museum collections are like a library of biodiversity, holding specimens that are a snapshot in time,” Dr. Bridge said. “For this study, we were able to compare our new samples to the original ‘type’ specimens collected over 100 years ago. “Without that physical reference from the collection, we would have the genetic information, but no way to assign it to the correct species. It proves that museum collections are an irreplaceable resource for understanding and protecting our natural world.”
The research also brings back nine species names that were previously overlooked and grouped under A hyacinthus, a process referred to in taxonomy as “species resurrection.” This emphasises the dynamic nature of taxonomy, which is continually evolving as new evidence and technologies enhance our comprehension of the variety of life on Earth. Andrew Baird, a Professor of Marine Ecology at James Cook University, mentioned that this study serves as a crucial reminder for reef conservation, suggesting that these discoveries could alter our approach to protecting coral reefs. “If we think a coral species is common and found everywhere, we might not worry too much about it,” Professor Baird said. “But if that ‘one species’ turns out to be ten different ones, each living in a smaller area with lower numbers, they could be at much greater risk of disappearing.
“We need to urgently rethink how we assess and protect coral species—because you can’t save something if you don’t even know it’s there.”
More information: Sage H. Rassmussen et al, The tables have turned: taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of the Acropora hyacinthus (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) complex, Invertebrate Systematics (2025). DOI: 10.1071/IS24049
