Acropora hoeksemai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora hoeksemai |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
Acropora hoeksemai is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It was first found and described by a scientist named Dr. Carden Wallace in 1997. This coral lives in shallow parts of the ocean, usually between 8 and 20 meters (about 26 to 65 feet) deep. Sadly, its population is shrinking, and it's listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. This means it needs our help to survive!
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
Acropora hoeksemai corals grow in groups called colonies. These colonies can be quite large, often 1 to 2 meters (about 3 to 6.5 feet) wide. Some have even been seen growing over 4 meters (about 13 feet) wide!
This coral usually has a light brown, white, or cream color. Its branches are joined in the middle of the colony. The tips of the branches usually point upwards, except for those on the very outside of the coral structure.
Coral Structure
The branches of Acropora hoeksemai are not perfectly smooth. They have tiny cup-like structures called corallites. These are where the tiny coral animals (polyps) live. There are two main types of corallites on this coral:
- Axial corallites: These are found at the very tip of the branches. They are like the main growing points. They can be about 2 to 2.6 millimeters wide.
- Radial corallites: These are tube-shaped and grow along the sides of the branches. They are usually neat and orderly, and they are all about the same size. They have tiny spines called spinules.
The branches themselves can grow up to 150 millimeters (about 6 inches) long. They are usually between 7 and 15 millimeters (about 0.3 to 0.6 inches) thick.
Where It Lives and Grows
This coral lives in shallow parts of the ocean, on coral reefs. You can find it on the flat parts of reefs, as well as on slopes and walls. It takes about three to eight years for this coral to become fully grown. Scientists believe it can live for more than ten years!
Acropora hoeksemai is made of a hard, stony material called aragonite. Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate, which is similar to the material found in seashells. When grown in special tanks, this coral can reach lengths of up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches). It looks a bit like another coral called Acropora valenciennesi.
Where Is It Found?
Acropora hoeksemai is a common coral species. It lives in a wide area, including the Indo-Pacific oceans. You can find it in places like Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
Threats to the Coral
Even though it's common, the number of Acropora hoeksemai corals is going down. This coral faces many dangers:
- Diseases and bleaching: Corals can get sick, and they can also suffer from "bleaching." Bleaching happens when corals get stressed, often from warmer ocean temperatures. They lose the tiny algae that live inside them and give them their color and food.
- Predators: Starfish like the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) eat corals.
- Climate change: Rising ocean temperatures and changes in ocean chemistry due to climate change harm corals.
- Human activities: Fishing, building new structures near the coast, and other human activities can also damage coral reefs.
Some of these corals can be found in Marine Protected Areas. These are special parts of the ocean where rules are in place to protect marine life.
Conservation Status
Because its population is decreasing, Acropora hoeksemai is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This list helps track which animals and plants are at risk of disappearing. It is also listed on CITES Appendix II. CITES is an international agreement that helps control the trade of endangered plants and animals to protect them.
How It Was Named
This coral was first officially described and named by a scientist named C.C. Wallace in 1997. She named it Acropora hoeksemai in Indonesia.
See Also
- Coral reef
- Marine Protected Area
