Acropora aculeus

Last updated

Acropora aculeus
Acropora aculeus, polipos.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Species:
A. aculeus
Binomial name
Acropora aculeus
(Dana, 1846) [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Madrepora aculeus Dana, 1846

Acropora aculeus is a species of acroporid corals found throughout the Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, Japan and the East China Sea. It is also present in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an uncommon species and is particularly prone to coral bleaching, disease, and crown-of-thorns starfish predation; it is also harvested for use in aquaria, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being a "vulnerable species". Habitat loss is a big concern. [1]

Contents

Description

Acropora aculeus forms corymbose, pillow-like structures, the horizontal branches being slender and spreading while the upright branches are narrow and shorter. The corallites are distinctive, longer than they are wide, smooth and polished. This coral is usually yellowish or grey, but can be bright bluish-green, and the tips of the branches are often yellow, pale blue, green or brown. [2] [3] It is usually yellow on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Philippines, but pale brown in western Australia. [4] It is named as ACR ACUL in Coral Codes. [5]

Distribution and habitat

Acropora aculeus is native to the Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from the east coast of Africa and Madagascar to Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and some island groups in the eastern Pacific Ocean. [3] [6] It is endemic to the Philippines [7] distributed in Samoa, Great Barrier Reef, Sri Lanka, South Vietnam, and the Marshall Islands. [8] It occurs at depths between about 5 and 20 m (16 and 66 ft) or even deeper. It is found on all parts of the reef, particularly the front slope, and also in lagoons. Its form varies with its degree of exposure to wave action, being more massive in exposed locations and more pillow-like in lagoons. [1]

Status

The reefs on which Acropora aculeus lives are under threat from global warming, increased ocean acidification and reef destruction. It is a generally uncommon species of coral and is particularly susceptible to bleaching and coral diseases. [1] The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "vulnerable", considering that 37% of the colonies may be lost in the next thirty years (three generation lengths). [1] Others suggest it is endangered, [9] along with 76% of the Acropora corals. [10]

Related Research Articles

<i>Acropora aspera</i> Species of coral

Acropora aspera is a species of staghorn coral in the family Acroporidae. It is found on reef flats and in lagoons in very shallow water in the western Indo-Pacific Ocean.

<i>Isopora palifera</i> Species of coral

Isopora palifera is a species of stony coral in the family Acroporidae. It is a reef building coral living in shallow water and adopts different forms depending on the water conditions where it is situated. It is found in the Western Indo-Pacific Ocean as far east as Australia.

<i>Acropora acuminata</i> Species of coral

Acropora acuminata is a species of acroporid coral found in Australia, the Red Sea, the central Indo-Pacific, Japan, the northern Indian Ocean, the East China Sea, southeast Asia, and the western Pacific Ocean. It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching, the crown-of-thorns sea star, and harvesting for the aquarium trade. It is found on shallow coral reefs from depths of 5–20 m. It was described by Verrill in 1864.

<i>Acropora muricata</i> Species of coral

Acropora muricata, commonly called staghorn coral, is a species of acroporid coral found in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Australia, central Indo-Pacific, Japan, Southeast Asia, the East China Sea and the oceanic central and western Pacific Ocean. It is found in tropical shallow reefs, slopes of reefs, and in lagoons, from depths of 5 to 30 m. It was described by Dana in 1846.

<i>Acropora globiceps</i> Species of coral

Acropora globiceps is a species of acroporid coral found in the oceanic central and western Pacific Ocean and central Indo-Pacific. It can also be found in the Great Barrier Reef, the Philippines, the Andaman Islands, Polynesia, Micronesia and the Pitcairn Islands. It occurs on the slopes of reefs, the flats of reefs, in tropical shallow reefs, and at depths of around 8 metres (26 ft). It was described by Dana in 1846.

Acropora lovelli is a species of acroporid coral found in the northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia and the oceanic west Pacific Ocean. It can also be found in Palau and the southern Mariana Islands, the Red Sea, Mauritius, Tuha'a Pae, the Pitcairn Islands and Rodrigues. It occurs in shallow tropical reefs, in shallow protected lagoons and at lagoon entrances, to depths from 1–10 m.

<i>Acropora palmerae</i> Species of coral

Acropora palmerae is a species of acroporid coral found in the northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic west Pacific Ocean. It is also found in Palau and the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Andaman Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, Okinawa Island, Mauritius, Micronesia, the Cook Islands and the Philippines. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on flats exposed the action of strong waves and in lagoons, from depths of 0 to 12 metres. It was described by Wells in 1954.

<i>Acropora verweyi</i> Species of coral

Acropora verweyi is a species of acroporid coral found in the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic western Pacific Ocean. It is also found in the Philippines, American Samoa, Fiji and Rodrigues. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes, from depths of 2 to 15 metres.

Acropora abrolhosensis is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by John Veron in 1985. Found in sheltered lagoons and shallow reefs, it is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. The population of the species is decreasing, and most specimens are found in Western Australia, but occurs in many other areas. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora caroliniana is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Nemenzo in 1976. Found in tropical, shallow reef slopes, it occurs at depths of 5 to 25 m in a marine environment. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population. It is rare, but has been found over a large area, and two-thirds of the regions of Indonesia.

Acropora derawanensis is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Carden Wallace in 1997. Found in tropical, shallow reefs sheltered from the waves in a marine environment, it is found at depths of 10 to 25 m on reef slopes. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population. It is not common but found over a large area, and is listed on CITES Appendix II. It is easily damaged.

<i>Acropora donei</i> Species of coral

Acropora donei is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by J. Veron and Carden Wallace in 1984. Found in fringing reefs and the upper slopes of shallow reefs, it occurs at depths of 5 to 20 m. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population, and is affected by disease. It is not common but found over a large area, and is listed under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora kimbeensis is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Dr. Carden Wallace in 1999. Found in marine, tropical, shallow reefs usually at depths of 3 to 12 m, but can occur as low as 15 m (49 ft). It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and it is thought to have a decreasing population. It is not common and found over a large area, and is listed on CITES Appendix II.

Acropora kirstyae is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Jen Veron and C. C. Wallace in 1984. Found in marine, tropical, shallow reefs in sheltered areas usually at depths of 10 to 25 m, and also occurs in sheltered lagoons. It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and it is thought to have a decreasing population. It is not common and found over a large area, and is listed on CITES Appendix II.

Acropora loisetteae is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by C. C. Wallace in 1994. Found in marine, tropical, shallow reefs in sheltered lagoons, it is found at depths between 1 and 30 m. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and it is thought to have a decreasing population. It is not common but found over a large area, and is listed under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora multiacuta is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by F. Nemenzo in 1967. Found in marine, tropical shallow reefs in lagoons, on rocks or on the tops of reefs, it occurs at depths between 3 and 15 m. It is classed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and it has a decreasing population. It is uncommon but found over a large area, including in two regions of Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef, and is classified under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora plumosa is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Dr. C. C. Wallace and J. Wolstenholme in 1998. Found in marine, tropical, reefs on slopes sheltered from wave action, and on reef walls. It occurs at depths between 10 and 30 m. It is classed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and it has a decreasing population. It is not common and found over a large area and is classified under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora rudis is a species of acroporid coral found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is an uncommon species and is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as an endangered species because it is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching, coral diseases, damage by the crown-of-thorns starfish and destruction of its coral reef habitat.

Acropora derawanensis is a species of acroporid coral found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the west central Pacific Ocean. It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching, disease, and crown-of-thorns starfish predation.

Coral reefs of the Solomon Islands

The Coral reefs of the Solomon Islands consists of six major islands and over 986 smaller islands, in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. The Solomon Islands lie between latitudes 5° and 13°S, and longitudes 155° and 169°E. The distance between the westernmost and easternmost islands is about 1,500 km (930 mi). The Santa Cruz Islands are situated north of Vanuatu and are especially isolated at more than 200 km (120 mi) from the other islands. The Solomon Islands has the 22nd largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 1,589,477 km2 (613,701 sq mi) of the Pacific Ocean.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Delbeek, J.T.; Richards, Z.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G.; Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora aculeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T133463A54266755. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133463A54266755.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Hoeksema, Bert (2013). "Acropora aculeus (Dana, 1846)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Acropora aculeus". Coral fact sheet. Australian Institute of Marine Science . Retrieved 26 October 2017. Taxonomic note: Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Wallace (1984), Wallace (1999). Additional identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).
  4. ↑ Edward, John; Veron, Norwood (1995). Evolution of the Corals in Space and Time: The Biogeography and Evolution of the Scleractinia. ISBN   0801482631.
  5. ↑ Pernetta, John, ed. (1993). Monitoring Coral Reefs for Global Change: (A Marine conservation and development report). p. 47. ISBN   9782831701172.
  6. ↑ Woodley, Cheryl M.; Downs, Craig A.; Bruckner, Andrew W.; Porter, James W.; Galloway, Sylvia B., eds. (November 2, 2015). Diseases of Coral. Wiley. p. 368. ISBN   978-0813824116.
  7. ↑ Alino, Porfirio M (2002). Atlas of Philippine Coral Reefs. Quezon City, Philippines: JMC Press, Goodwill Trading Co. p. 230. ISBN   971-12-0250-6.
  8. ↑ Latypov, Yuri Ya (2015-02-02). Field Guide to Reef-Building Corals. p. 23. ISBN   9789711202507.
  9. ↑ Crawford, Quinton (December 28, 2015). The Global Situation. p. 19. ISBN   9781458333230.
  10. ↑ "The Sad Tale of Acropora Corals". July 6, 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.