Acropora striata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora striata |
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Acropora striata is a type of coral that lives in the ocean. It belongs to a family called Acroporidae. You can find this coral in warm, shallow waters. It lives in places like the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and near Japan. It also lives near Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. This coral usually grows on reef flats or rocky areas. It can be found about 10 to 25 meters deep. Scientists think it lays its eggs in October. A scientist named Verrill first described it in 1866.
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What Acropora striata Looks Like
This coral grows in groups called colonies. These colonies are made of short branches. The branches have small central parts called axial corallites. The other parts, called radial corallites, do not have a clear shape or size. Acropora striata is usually grey-brown. Its branches often have white tips. It looks a bit like two other corals: Acropora parahemprichii and Acropora sekiseiensis.
Where Acropora striata Lives
This coral lives in many parts of the world's oceans. You can find it in the southwest Indian Ocean. It also lives in the central Indo-Pacific region. This includes areas near Japan and the East China Sea.
Specific Locations for This Coral
Acropora striata is also found in many islands. These include the Marshall Islands and the Society Islands. It lives in the Cook Islands and Kiribati. You can also find it in the Solomon Islands. It is common in western and eastern Australia. The famous Great Barrier Reef is another home for it. Other places include Palau, the south Mariana Islands, and Pohnpei.
Its Ocean Home and Depth
This coral prefers tropical shallow reefs. It grows on flat parts of the reef. It also lives on rocky areas near the shore. It is usually found at depths between 10 and 25 meters.
Why Acropora striata Needs Help
Scientists have listed Acropora striata as a vulnerable species. This means its population is decreasing. It is on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is also protected under CITES Appendix II. This international agreement helps control trade in endangered plants and animals.
Threats to Coral Populations
We do not know the exact number of these corals. However, many things threaten them.
- Coral reef decline: Coral reefs around the world are shrinking.
- Ocean warming: Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching. This is when corals lose their color and can die.
- Climate change: Changes in global weather patterns harm coral habitats.
- Human activities: Pollution and coastal development can damage reefs.
- Crown-of-thorns starfish: These starfish eat corals and can cause a lot of damage.
- Diseases: Corals can get sick, which weakens them.
All these factors make it harder for Acropora striata to survive.
