Acropora loisetteae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora loisetteae |
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Acropora loisetteae is a type of coral that looks like a tree. A scientist named C. C. Wallace first described it in 1994. You can find this coral in warm, shallow ocean waters. It usually lives in calm lagoons on coral reefs. It grows at depths from about 1 to 30 meters (3 to 98 feet) underwater.
This coral is considered a vulnerable species. This means its population is shrinking. It is not very common, but it can be found in many different places. It is also protected under an international agreement called CITES Appendix II.
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What Does Acropora loisetteae Look Like?
Acropora loisetteae corals grow in groups called colonies. These colonies often look like small trees. They can be blue or pink in color.
The main branches of this coral are round and straight. They are also thin. These branches can grow up to 110 millimeters (about 4.3 inches) long. They are usually between 5 and 12 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide.
Smaller branches, called branchlets, grow off the main branches. At the end of each branchlet, there is a special tube-shaped part called an axial corallite. Along the sides of the branchlets, there are many small, uniform parts called radial corallites. These are about 2.8 millimeters wide.
This coral is made of a hard material called aragonite. Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate.
Where Does Acropora loisetteae Live?
Acropora loisetteae is not very common, but it is found across a large area. This area includes the Indo-Pacific region. You can find it in places like Australia, Malaysia, Micronesia, and the Philippines. It also lives in the Andaman Islands and Banggai.
It has been found in two regions of Indonesia. It also lives in four different places in the Marshall Islands. Even though it is uncommon, in some areas, this species might be the most common coral.
Why Is Acropora loisetteae in Danger?
Scientists believe the number of Acropora loisetteae corals is going down. Many things threaten this species:
- Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching. This is when corals turn white and can die.
- Coral Diseases: More cases of coral diseases are happening in the areas where this coral lives.
- Reef Destruction: Human activities can damage coral reefs. This destroys the coral's home.
- Predators: A type of starfish called Acanthaster planci eats corals.
- Human Activity: Other human actions can also harm corals.
Because of these threats, Acropora loisetteae is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II. This means international trade of this coral is controlled. Some of these corals may also live inside Marine Protected Areas. These are special ocean areas where marine life is protected.
How Was Acropora loisetteae Discovered?
The coral Acropora loisetteae was first described by scientist C. C. Wallace in 1994. She identified this new species in the Indian Ocean.
