Acropora paniculata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora paniculata |
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Acropora paniculata is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It belongs to a group called acroporid corals. This coral was first described by a scientist named Addison Emery Verrill in 1902. You can find it in warm, shallow parts of the ocean, usually on the upper slopes of coral reefs. It lives at depths between 10 and 35 m (33 and 115 ft). Sadly, it is considered a vulnerable species, which means its population is shrinking. It's not very common, but it can be found in a wide area, including parts of Indonesia. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II, which helps control trade of endangered species.
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What Does Acropora paniculata Look Like?
Acropora paniculata corals grow in large groups called colonies. These colonies can look like flat plates, often more than 1 m (3.3 ft) wide. They are about 25 mm (0.98 in) thick. The branches of these corals have small, short parts called branchlets.
These corals can be blue, grey, or cream in color. The branchlets have tiny cup-shaped structures called corallites. Some corallites are tube-shaped, long, and thin. You can find these at the tips of the branchlets. This coral looks quite similar to another coral called Acropora jacquelineae.
Where Does Acropora paniculata Live?
This coral lives in warm, tropical ocean waters. It prefers shallow reefs on the upper slopes. You can find it on the edges of reefs. It also lives in calm lagoons that are protected from strong waves. It lives at depths between 10 and 35 m (33 and 115 ft). The hard parts of the coral are made of a material called aragonite, which is a form of calcium carbonate.
Where Can You Find Acropora paniculata?
Acropora paniculata is found over a large area, but it is not very common everywhere. Its home includes the Indo-Pacific region and the East China Sea. You can also find it in the western Pacific, near the Hawaiian Islands, and in the central Pacific. It lives near Rodrigues, the Society Islands, and the Johnston Atoll. It is also found in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Eastern Australia.
Even though it's generally uncommon, it is quite common in some specific places, like Papua New Guinea. It lives in five different regions of Indonesia. It is also found at seven locations in the Marshall Islands. This coral prefers water temperatures between 25.48 and 28.07 °C (77.86 and 82.53 °F).
Why Is This Coral in Danger?
The number of Acropora paniculata corals is going down. This species faces several threats:
- Climate Change: Changes in the Earth's climate affect ocean conditions.
- Rising Sea Temperatures: Warmer ocean water can cause corals to lose their color and die. This is called coral bleaching.
- Coral Disease: Like other living things, corals can get sick.
- Reef Destruction: Damage to coral reefs harms their homes.
- Predators: A type of starfish called Acanthaster planci (crown-of-thorns starfish) eats corals.
- Human Activities: Things people do, like pollution or harmful fishing, can hurt corals.
Because of these threats, Acropora paniculata is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This list helps track species that are at risk. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which means its trade is controlled to prevent it from becoming more endangered. This coral might also live in special places called Marine Protected Areas, which are set aside to protect ocean life.
How Was Acropora paniculata Discovered?
This coral was first described by a scientist named Addison Emery Verrill. He gave it the name Acropora paniculata in 1902.
