Acropora indonesia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora indonesia |
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Acropora indonesia is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It was first officially named by Dr. Carden Wallace in 1997. You can find this coral in warm, shallow parts of the ocean, usually on coral reefs that are protected from strong currents. It lives about 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) deep. Sadly, this coral is listed as a vulnerable species, meaning its numbers are going down.
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What is Acropora indonesia?
Acropora indonesia corals grow in thick, cushion-like shapes. These structures can be up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) deep. Their color can be dark grey or dark brown, but also sometimes very pale.
The branches of this coral are packed closely together. They are thin and grow straight upwards. The branches around the edges of the coral colony have tips that point upwards. These tips can be up to 80 millimeters (about 3 inches) long.
This coral is made of a hard, stony material called aragonite. Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate, which is like a natural chalk.
Where Does Acropora indonesia Live?
Acropora indonesia is found in many places across the Indo-Pacific region. This includes countries like Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It also lives near the Solomon Islands and Thailand.
Even though it's found in a wide area, its population is shrinking. This is because of several threats.
Threats to Acropora indonesia
- Rising Ocean Temperatures: Warmer ocean water can cause corals to lose their color and become sick. This is called coral bleaching.
- Diseases: Corals can get diseases that harm them.
- Predators: A type of starfish called the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) eats corals. There are more of these starfish now, which is a big problem for Acropora corals.
- Human Activities: Things like too much fishing, pollution, and coastal development can also hurt coral reefs.
Because of these threats, Acropora indonesia is listed as a vulnerable species. This means it's at risk of becoming endangered if its population continues to decrease. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II, which helps control trade of endangered species.
Who Discovered Acropora indonesia?
The coral species Acropora indonesia was first officially described by a scientist named C. C. Wallace. This happened in 1997, and she named it while working in Indonesia.
