Acropora aculeus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora aculeus |
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Acropora aculeus is a special type of coral. It belongs to a family called Acroporidae. You can find this coral in the Indian Ocean and the central Indo-Pacific region. This includes places like Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the East China Sea. It also lives in the western Pacific Ocean.
This coral is not very common. It faces many dangers. For example, it can get "coral bleaching" which makes it sick. It can also get diseases. A starfish called the crown-of-thorns starfish likes to eat it. People also collect Acropora aculeus for fish tanks. Because of these threats, a group called the International Union for the Conservation of Nature says it is a "vulnerable species". This means it needs our help to survive. Losing its home is a big problem for this coral.
What it Looks Like
Acropora aculeus grows in shapes that look like pillows. It has many branches. The branches that grow sideways are thin and spread out. The branches that grow upwards are narrower and shorter.
The tiny cups where the coral animals live are called corallites. These corallites are special. They are longer than they are wide. They also feel smooth and shiny.
This coral is usually yellowish or grey. But it can also be a bright bluish-green color! The tips of its branches often have different colors. They can be yellow, pale blue, green, or brown. For example, on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Philippines, it is usually yellow. But in western Australia, it is often pale brown.
Where it Lives and its Home
Acropora aculeus is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its home stretches from the east coast of Africa and Madagascar all the way to Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and some islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
It is found in many specific places. These include Samoa, the Great Barrier Reef, Sri Lanka, South Vietnam, and the Marshall Islands.
This coral usually lives in water that is about 5 to 20 meters (about 16 to 65 feet) deep. Sometimes, it can be found even deeper. You can find it on all parts of a coral reef. It especially likes the front slope of the reef. It also lives in calm areas called lagoons. The shape of this coral can change. If it is in a place with strong waves, it grows more solid. If it is in calm lagoons, it looks more like a pillow.
Its Future and Protection
The coral reefs where Acropora aculeus lives are in danger. The Earth is getting warmer, which causes "global warming." The ocean is also becoming more acidic. This is called "ocean acidification." Both of these things hurt coral reefs. People also damage reefs directly.
Acropora aculeus is not a common coral. It is very sensitive to bleaching. This is when corals turn white and can die. It is also very likely to get coral diseases.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has looked at its situation. They have decided that its protection status is "vulnerable." This means they believe that 37% of these corals might disappear in the next thirty years. That's about three generations for this coral! Some experts even think it is "endangered." They believe that 76% of all Acropora corals are in danger.
See also
In Spanish: Acropora aculeus para niños
