Acropora kimbeensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora kimbeensis |
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Acropora kimbeensis is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It was first found and described by Dr. Carden Wallace in 1999. This coral usually lives in warm, shallow coral reefs, often about 3 to 12 meters (10 to 40 feet) deep. Sometimes, it can be found even deeper, up to 15 meters (50 feet).
The Acropora kimbeensis coral is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. This means its population is decreasing, and it needs protection. Even though it's found in many places, it's not very common. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which helps control its trade to protect it.
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What Does Acropora kimbeensis Look Like?
Acropora kimbeensis corals grow in dense groups that look like bushes. They can be yellow, blue, or cream in color. Their branches point upwards and get thinner towards the ends.
- The branches can grow up to 80 millimeters (about 3 inches) long.
- They have small, clear openings called axial corallites on their branchlets.
- Even smaller openings, called radial corallites, are found along the sides of the branchlets. These are less than 1 millimeter in size.
This coral looks a bit like other corals such as Acropora cerealis and Acropora subulata.
Where Does It Live?
This coral prefers warm, shallow reefs on the upper slopes. It can also be found in calm areas like lagoons, or on the edges of reefs and flat reef areas. It usually lives between 3 and 12 meters deep, but can be found as deep as 15 meters.
Acropora kimbeensis corals become fully grown when they are between three and eight years old. They can live for more than ten years.
Where Is Acropora kimbeensis Found?
Even though Acropora kimbeensis is not common, it is found across a wide area. This includes the Indo-Pacific region, the East China Sea, the West Pacific, Eastern Australia, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and places like Micronesia and Pohnpei. It is also found in one part of Indonesia and at two locations in the Marshall Islands.
Why Is Its Population Declining?
Scientists believe the number of Acropora kimbeensis corals is going down. There are several reasons for this:
- Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures can cause coral bleaching, which harms and can kill corals.
- Pollution: Pollution from human activities can make the ocean unhealthy for corals.
- Human Development: Building and other human activities near coastal areas can damage coral habitats.
- Fishing: Some fishing methods can accidentally harm corals.
- Coral Disease: Like other living things, corals can get sick.
- Trade: Some corals are collected and exported for use in aquariums. For example, in 2005, over a thousand live specimens were exported.
Because of these threats, Acropora kimbeensis is listed as a vulnerable species. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II, which helps control its international trade. Some of these corals live in Marine Protected Areas, which are special ocean areas where they are safe from certain human activities.
Who Discovered Acropora kimbeensis?
This coral was first described by a scientist named C. C. Wallace in 1999. She gave it the name Acropora kimbeensis after finding it in the Indo-Pacific.
