Acropora derawanensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora derawanensis |
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Acropora derawanensis is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It was first found and described by a scientist named Carden Wallace in 1997. This coral lives in warm, shallow parts of the ocean, usually in reefs that are protected from big waves. You can find it about 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 feet) deep on the sides of coral reefs. This coral is considered a vulnerable species, which means its numbers are going down. It's not very common, but it can be found in many places. It's also listed under CITES Appendix II, which helps protect it. This coral is very delicate and can be easily broken.
What it Looks Like
Acropora derawanensis corals grow in groups called colonies. These colonies can be flat or have branches that point upwards. They can grow up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) wide. The branches themselves are thin and can be up to 80 millimeters (about 3 inches) long. They break very easily.
At the end of each branch, there are long, tube-shaped parts called axial corallites. These are like tiny homes for the coral polyps. They can be up to 1.4 millimeters wide and are often blue and white. The whole coral usually looks a reddish-brown color.
On the sides of the branches, there are smaller, tube-shaped parts called radial corallites. Some of these can be sharp or look like small pockets. This coral is quite rare. It looks a bit like two other coral species, Acropora filiformis and Acropora kirstyae. This delicate coral lives in warm, shallow ocean reefs that are calm and protected from strong waves. It usually lives at depths of 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 feet). This coral takes a long time to grow up, becoming mature after more than eight years.
Where it Lives and Why it's in Danger
Acropora derawanensis is not a common coral, but it can be found in a wide area. This area is mostly in the central Indo-Pacific region. You can find it in places like Micronesia, the Philippines, Pohnpei, and Southeast Asia. It lives naturally in countries such as Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
We don't have an exact count of how many of these corals there are. However, its population is shrinking. This coral is threatened by many things that are harming coral reefs around the world. These threats include:
- Rising ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching.
- Coral diseases.
- Changes in the climate.
- Fishing activities.
- Oceans becoming more acidic.
- Pollution.
- Invasive species (plants or animals that don't belong there and cause harm).
Unlike some other Acropora corals, this species is too fragile to be attacked by the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). Some of these corals live in special areas called Marine Protected Areas, which help keep them safe. Because its numbers are going down, it is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. It is also listed under Appendix II of CITES, which means it is protected by international rules to control its trade.
How it was Named
This coral was first described and given its name, Acropora derawanensis, by C. C. Wallace in 1997. This happened in Indonesia.
