Acropora dendrum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora dendrum |
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Acropora dendrum is a type of coral. It belongs to a group called acroporid corals. This coral was first described by a scientist named Bassett-Smith in 1890. You can find it in warm, shallow ocean reefs. It lives in places with strong waves, usually between 5 and 20 meters (about 16 to 65 feet) deep. Sadly, this coral is facing threats like diseases. Because of this, it is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means its population is shrinking. Even though it's not very common, it lives in a wide area. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II, which helps control trade of endangered species.
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What Does Acropora dendrum Look Like?
Acropora dendrum corals grow in a special shape. They form wide, flat-topped structures. These structures can be about 0.5 to 1 meter (1.6 to 3.3 feet) wide. Their branches become narrower at the ends. There are often large spaces between these corals.
Coral Features
The small cups on the coral, called radial corallites, are almost hidden in the branches. This makes the coral feel smooth to the touch. Each branchlet has tiny axial corallites at its tip. These axial corallites are about 1.4 to 2.2 millimeters wide on the outside. Inside, they are about 0.5 to 1.2 millimeters wide. The coral branches can grow up to 30 millimeters (about 1.2 inches) long.
Color and Habitat
This coral is usually cream or pale brown in color. It is quite rare and does not look like other coral species. It lives in warm, shallow reefs. These areas are often hit by powerful ocean waves. You can also find it on the sides of reef slopes. It usually lives at depths of 5 to 20 meters (16 to 65 feet). This coral takes more than eight years to become fully grown.
Where Does Acropora dendrum Live?
Acropora dendrum is found across a large part of the world. However, it is not a common coral. You can find it in the East China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the wider Indo-Pacific region. It also lives in Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Tonga.
Ocean Conditions
This coral prefers water temperatures around 22.22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). It lives in water with a salinity of about 35.51 PSU. It also needs specific amounts of silicate and nitrate in the water to thrive.
Threats to the Coral
Sadly, Acropora dendrum faces many dangers. The biggest threat is the overall decline of coral reefs worldwide.
- Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching. This is when corals lose their color and can die.
- Diseases can also harm these corals.
- Some people harvest corals, which reduces their numbers.
- Climate change, pollution, and human development also hurt coral reefs.
- Certain starfish, like the Acanthaster planci (crown-of-thorns starfish), eat corals.
Protection Efforts
Despite these threats, Acropora dendrum is sometimes found in Marine Protected Areas. These are special ocean areas where human activities are limited to protect marine life. The coral is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means its population is decreasing. It is also listed under Appendix II of CITES. This international agreement helps control the trade of endangered plants and animals.
How Was Acropora dendrum Discovered?
The coral Acropora dendrum was first described by P.W. Bassett-Smith. This happened in 1890 in the South China Sea. He gave it the name Acropora dendrum.
