Acropora anthocercis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora anthocercis |
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Acropora anthocercis is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It's part of a group called acroporid corals. A scientist named G. Brook first described this coral in 1893. You can often find it on the upper parts of coral reefs, where strong waves hit.
This coral is considered a vulnerable species. This means its population is decreasing. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which helps control trade of endangered plants and animals.
What Does It Look Like?
Acropora anthocercis corals grow in groups called colonies. These colonies often look like a flat, bushy table or a cluster of branches. Scientists call this a "corymbose" shape. They attach themselves to rocks.
These corals come in many pretty colors. You might see them in purple, blue, mauve, or grey. Their branches are usually wide and short. Sometimes, parts of the branches are covered in a crust-like layer.
Each branch has tiny cups called corallites. The ones on the sides of the branches are called radial corallites. They are packed closely together. At the very end of each branch, there are many special corallites called axial corallites.
Acropora anthocercis looks a lot like other corals. These include Acropora appressa, Acropora desalwii, and Acropora parapharaonis. You can find this coral in shallow reef areas. It lives where the water is between 5 and 10 meters (about 16 to 33 feet) deep.
Where Does It Live?
Acropora anthocercis lives in many different places around the world. You can find it in the Red Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region. This includes the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It also lives near Japan, in the East China Sea, and in the western Pacific Ocean. You can even find it off the coasts of South Africa and Mozambique.
This coral is very common in Queensland, Australia. About 90% of all Acropora anthocercis in Australia are thought to live there. It can be found in waters from 2 to 12 meters (about 6.5 to 39 feet) deep. The water temperature where it lives is usually between 25.61 and 26.56 degrees Celsius (about 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Why Is It Vulnerable?
The Acropora anthocercis coral is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. This means its numbers are going down. We don't know exactly how many there are, but they face many threats.
One big threat is the global loss of coral reefs. Rising ocean temperatures can cause "coral bleaching." This is when corals get stressed and turn white, which can kill them. Diseases can also harm corals. Another danger is the Acanthaster planci, also known as the crown-of-thorns starfish. These starfish eat corals, including Acropora anthocercis.
How Was It Named?
The first time this coral was officially described was in 1893. G. Brook gave it the name Madrepora anthocercis. However, before that, in 1892, G. Brook had also described something similar. He called it Madrepora coronata, which is now considered an older name for the same coral.
