Acropora desalwii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora desalwii |
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Acropora desalwii is a type of coral that looks like a bush. It was first found and described by Dr Carden Wallace in 1994. This coral lives in warm, shallow ocean waters, usually on the sides of coral reefs. It prefers calm areas and is often found deeper than 15 meters (about 50 feet), but can live as deep as 30 meters (about 100 feet). Sadly, its population is shrinking, and it is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means it's at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it.
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What Does It Look Like?
Acropora desalwii grows in colonies that look like flat-topped bushes, which scientists call "corymbose." These colonies have many branches packed closely together. The branches on the edges of the colony point upwards. They can have more than one main tube-shaped part, called an axial corallite, which also points upwards.
This coral can be green, brown, or blue. It also has smaller tube-shaped parts, called radial corallites, on the sides of its branches. Acropora desalwii looks similar to two other coral species, Acropora parapharaonis and Acropora willisae.
Where Does It Live?
This coral lives in warm, shallow, and calm parts of the ocean. It is usually found on coral reefs at depths less than 15 meters (about 50 feet). However, it can sometimes be found deeper, between 10 and 30 meters (about 33 to 100 feet). People sometimes keep this coral in aquariums, where it can grow up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) wide.
Where Can You Find This Coral?
Acropora desalwii is common and found across a large area. You can find it in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Solomon Islands. It is especially common in parts of Indonesia, Pohnpei, and the Philippines.
This coral is native to many countries. These include Micronesia, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Singapore.
Why Is It in Danger?
Even though it's found in many places, the population of Acropora desalwii is decreasing. It faces several threats, mostly because of changes happening to our oceans.
- Coral reef decline: The places where it lives are shrinking.
- Rising water temperatures: Warmer ocean water causes corals to turn white, a process called bleaching, which can kill them.
- Climate change: Changes in global weather patterns affect ocean conditions.
- Ocean acidification: The ocean is becoming more acidic, making it harder for corals to build their skeletons.
- Pollution: Trash and chemicals in the water harm corals.
- Diseases: Corals can get sick, just like people.
- Overfishing: Too much fishing can disrupt the balance of the reef ecosystem.
- Invasive species: Some new species, like the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), eat corals.
Some of these corals live in special areas called Marine Protected Areas. These are like national parks for the ocean, designed to help protect marine life.
What Does "Vulnerable" Mean?
Acropora desalwii is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means it is at a high risk of becoming endangered or even extinct if we don't do something to protect it. It is also listed under Appendix II of CITES. CITES is an international agreement that controls the trade of wild animals and plants to make sure they don't disappear.
How Was It Discovered?
The Acropora desalwii coral was first described by a scientist named C. C. Wallace in 1994. She identified it in the Indo-Pacific region.
See Also
- Acropora
