Acropora lokani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora lokani |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
Acropora lokani is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It's part of a group called acroporid corals. This coral was first officially described by a scientist named C. C. Wallace in 1994. You can find it in warm, shallow parts of the ocean, usually in reefs and calm lagoons. It lives at depths of about 8 to 25 meters (26 to 82 feet). Sadly, Acropora lokani is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, which means its population is shrinking. Even though it's not super common, it's found across a wide area.
Contents
Discovering Acropora lokani: A Unique Coral
What Does This Coral Look Like?
Acropora lokani corals grow in groups called colonies. These colonies can be up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) wide. They have strong, upright branches.
Colors and Branch Details
This coral can be brown, cream, or even blue. Its branches are usually 5 to 7 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) thick. They can grow up to 20 millimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. These branches split into smaller parts called branchlets.
Understanding Corallites
On the branchlets, you'll find tiny cup-shaped structures called corallites.
- Axial corallites: These are at the very end of the branchlets. They are large and shaped like tubes. Their inner opening is about 0.6 to 0.9 millimeters wide. The outer part is about 2.2 to 2.6 millimeters wide.
- Radial corallites: These are smaller and are found along the sides. They have fancy, spiky parts around them.
Where It Lives and What It's Made Of
Acropora lokani lives in calm lagoons and shallow parts of coral reefs. It can also be found in other shallow ocean areas. It prefers depths between 8 and 25 meters (26 to 82 feet). This coral is made of aragonite, which is a form of calcium carbonate. It's the same material that makes up seashells.
Similar Coral Species
Acropora lokani looks a lot like two other coral species: Acropora caroliniana and Acropora granulosa.
Where Acropora lokani Lives Around the World
Global Homes of This Coral
Even though Acropora lokani is not very common, it lives in a large area. You can find it across the Indo-Pacific region. This includes places like:
- Fiji
- Southeast Asia
- American Samoa
- Raja Ampat (in Indonesia)
- The Solomon Islands
- Pohnpei (in Micronesia)
- The famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia
It is native to many countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Why This Coral Needs Our Help
Scientists believe the number of Acropora lokani corals is going down. There are several reasons why this coral is in danger:
- Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to lose their color and become sick. This is called coral bleaching.
- Reef Destruction: Damage to coral reefs from storms or human activities hurts the coral.
- Coral Diseases: Like all living things, corals can get sick.
- Starfish Predators: A type of starfish called Acanthaster planci (also known as the crown-of-thorns starfish) eats coral.
- Human Activities: Things like pollution and careless tourism can also harm corals.
Because of these threats, Acropora lokani is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This list helps track animals and plants that are at risk. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II. This means that trading this coral internationally is controlled to protect it. Some Acropora lokani corals also live inside Marine Protected Areas, which are special ocean areas where nature is protected.
How Acropora lokani Got Its Name
The Discovery of Acropora lokani
The Acropora lokani coral was first officially described by a scientist named C. C. Wallace. This happened in 1994. She found it in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
