Acropora lutkeni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora lutkeni |
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Acropora lutkeni is a type of coral found in many parts of the world's oceans. It belongs to a group of corals called acroporid corals. You can find this coral in the central Indo-Pacific region. It also lives near Japan, Australia, and the northern Indian Ocean.
This coral is also present in the East China Sea and southeast Asia. It lives in the central and western Pacific Ocean. You might spot it in places like the south Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Other homes include Palau, the Andaman Islands, and Fiji. It's also found in the Philippines, the Banggai Islands, and Samoa. The Raja Ampat Islands, the Line Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the Chagos Archipelago are also home to this coral.
Acropora lutkeni lives in shallow, tropical reefs. It prefers the upper parts of slopes. These areas are often hit by strong waves or currents. You can also find it on the edges of reefs. It lives in submerged reefs too. This coral usually grows at depths of about 3 to 12 meters (10 to 39 feet). Scientists believe it probably releases its eggs and sperm in October.
What Does It Look Like?
This coral grows in groups called colonies. These colonies often form flat, plate-like shapes. They have branches that get thinner at the ends. This shape is called "corymbose."
Acropora lutkeni has special small cups. These cups are called "corallites." The coral polyps, which are tiny animals, live inside these cups. Some corallites are found along the main branch and are rounded. Other corallites are on the sides and come in many different sizes and shapes. They are not arranged in a neat pattern.
The color of this coral can vary. It might be grey, purple, or a cream-brown color. It looks quite similar to another type of coral called Acropora forskali.
Where Can You Find It?
Acropora lutkeni is found in many warm ocean areas. These include the central Indo-Pacific and Japan. It also lives near Australia and in the northern Indian Ocean. You can also find it in the East China Sea and across southeast Asia. It is common in the central and western Pacific Ocean.
Specific locations where this coral lives include the south Mariana Islands and American Samoa. It is also in Palau, the Andaman Islands, and Fiji. Other places are the Philippines, the Banggai Islands, and Samoa. You can also find it in the Raja Ampat Islands, the Line Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the Chagos Archipelago.
This coral lives in water that is not too deep. It is usually found between 3 and 12 meters (10 to 39 feet) below the surface. It likes to live on the upper parts of reef slopes. These areas are often exposed to strong waves and ocean currents. It also grows on the edges of reefs and on reefs that are completely underwater.
Why Is It Important?
The Acropora lutkeni coral is listed as a "Near Threatened" species. This listing is made by the IUCN Red List. This means that its population is likely decreasing. It is also protected under Appendix II of CITES. CITES is an international agreement that helps control the trade of endangered plants and animals.
We don't know the exact number of these corals in the world. However, their numbers are probably going down. This is due to several threats. One big threat is the overall loss of coral reefs around the world. Rising ocean temperatures are also a problem. Warmer water can cause "coral bleaching." This is when corals turn white and can die.
Other threats include climate change and human activities. For example, pollution and damage from boats can hurt corals. A type of starfish called the Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) also eats corals. Diseases can also affect Acropora lutkeni and other corals. Protecting coral reefs is very important for the health of our oceans.
Who Discovered It?
The Acropora lutkeni coral was first described by a scientist named Crossland. He officially named and described this species in the year 1952.
