Acropora verweyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acropora verweyi |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
Acropora verweyi is a type of coral that belongs to the Acroporidae family. You can find this coral in warm, shallow ocean waters. It lives in places like the Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific region, Australia, and parts of Asia. It also lives near Japan, the East China Sea, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean. This coral grows on the upper slopes of tropical reefs, usually between 2 and 15 meters deep.
Contents
What is Acropora verweyi?
This coral was first officially named in 1984. Two scientists, Veron and Carden Wallace, gave it the name Acropora verweyi.
What Does Acropora verweyi Look Like?
This coral grows in groups called colonies. These colonies can look like cushions, flat plates, or even small bushes. The branches of Acropora verweyi are short. They are usually about 7 to 9 millimeters wide. You might see tiny, short branches growing near the bottom of the main branches.
Coral Structure
Corals are made of tiny structures called corallites.
- The main corallites, called axial corallites, are easy to see.
- The side corallites, called radial corallites, are pressed close to the branches. They are shaped like tubes and are arranged in a neat, round pattern.
- Most of this coral is a cream-brown color. Its main axial corallites are often yellow.
Where Does Acropora verweyi Live?
You can find Acropora verweyi in many places around the world. It lives in the southwest and northern parts of the Indian Ocean. It is also found in the central Indo-Pacific region. This includes Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the East China Sea. You can also spot it in the western Pacific Ocean, including places like the Philippines, American Samoa, Fiji, and Rodrigues. This coral prefers shallow, tropical reefs. It usually grows on the upper parts of these reefs. It lives at depths ranging from about 2 to 15 meters (about 6.5 to 49 feet).
Why is Acropora verweyi Vulnerable?
Acropora verweyi is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. Scientists believe its numbers are going down. This is happening because coral reefs around the world are declining.
Threats to Coral Reefs
Many things threaten Acropora verweyi and other corals:
- Rising Ocean Temperatures: Warmer water causes coral bleaching. This is when corals lose their color and can die.
- Climate Change: Changes in the Earth's climate affect ocean conditions.
- Human Activities: Pollution and damage from boats or fishing can harm reefs.
- Crown-of-Thorns Starfish: These starfish eat corals and can cause a lot of damage.
- Diseases: Corals can get sick, just like other living things.
Protecting coral reefs is important to help species like Acropora verweyi survive.
