Acropora anthocercis

Last updated

Acropora anthocercis
Acropora anthocercis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Species:
A. anthocercis
Binomial name
Acropora anthocercis
(Brook, 1893)
Synonyms
  • Madrepora anthocercisBrook, 1893
  • Madrepora coronataBrook, 1892

Acropora anthocercis is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by G. Brook in 1893. Found on the top slopes of reefs, it is often in contact with strong waves. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population covering a large range, but is abundant in some areas such as Queensland. It is also listed under CITES Appendix II.

Contents

Description

Acropora anthocercis specimens are found in colonies of corymbose formation on rocks. [2] It occurs in a variety of colours; mainly purple, blue, mauve, and grey. The branches are wide and short, and are encrusted in some locations. The radial corallites (on the sides of each branch) are located close to each other, and there are many axian corallites (on the end) on each branch. [2]

It is similar to Acropora appressa , Acropora desalwii , and Acropora parapharaonis , and is found on the upper slopes of shallow reefs, [2] so is exposed to strong waves. It can be found at depths of 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft). [1]

Distribution

Acropora anthocercis can be found over a large range; the Red Sea, the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, the East China Sea, the western Pacific Ocean in marine environments, [1] South Africa, and Mozambique. [3] It is abundant in Queensland, with a 90% of Australian specimens believed to be in that region. [4] It can be found at depths of 2 to 12 m (6.6 to 39.4 ft), and at temperatures between 25.61 and 26.56 °C (78.10 and 79.81 °F). [3]

It is classed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List as the population is decreasing, and is listed under Appendix II of CITES. [1] Its population is unknown, but is likely to be threatened by the global reduction of coral reefs, the increase of temperature causing bleaching, disease, and being prey to the Acanthaster planci . [1]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by G. Brook in 1893 as Madrepora anthocercis, but was previously described as a synonym of Madrepora coronata by G. Brook in 1892. [5]

Related Research Articles

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

Acropora abrotanoides is a species of acroporid coral found in Indo-Pacific waters from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden east to the East China Sea, Japan, the central Pacific Ocean and Australia. It is found in shallow coral reefs that are exposed to the action of strong waves, at depths up to 15 m. It is vulnerable to coral bleaching, disease and crown-of-thorns starfish. It is resistant to predation as it has well-developed radial corallite lips.

<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 Addison Emery Verrill in 1864.

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

Acropora cophodactyla is a species of uncertain validity of acroporid coral found in the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, the Solomon Islands and the western Pacific Ocean. It is also found in Fiji, Andaman Islands and American Samoa. It may be synonymous with A. humilis. It is found in shallow tropical coral reefs on exposed upper slopes and flats, at depths of 0 to 12 m. It was described by Brook in 1892.

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

Acropora digitifera is a species of acroporid coral found in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, Australia, Southeast Asia, the central Indo-Pacific, Japan, the west Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. It is found in shallow areas of tropical reefs in the back margins, from depths of 0 to 12 m. It was described by James Dwight Dana in 1846.

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

Acropora gemmifera is a species of acroporid coral found in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the central Indo-Pacific, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, southeastern Asia, Australia, the East China Sea, Japan, the oceanic central and western Pacific Ocean, and northwestern Hawaiʻi. It occurs on exposed upper reef flats and slopes, from depths of 1–15 m. It was described by Brook in 1892.

<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 James Dwight Dana in 1846.

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

Acropora listeri is a species of acroporid coral found in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the northern Indian Ocean, Australia, the central Indo-Pacific, Japan, southeast Asia, the East China Sea and the central and western Pacific Ocean. It is also present in Mauritius. The species is found in tropical shallow reefs on their upper slopes, especially in locations exposed to the action of strong waves, at depths of between 3 and 15 metres. It was described by Brook in 1893.

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

Acropora monticulosa 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 west Pacific Ocean. It is also found in the Tuamotus. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes, from depths of 1 to 12 metres. It was described by Brüggemann in 1879.

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

Acropora samoensis is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic west and central Pacific Ocean. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes of reefs, from depths of 5 to 15 metres. It was described by Brook in 1891.

Acropora striata is a species of acroporid coral found in the southwest Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Japan and the East China Sea. It can also be found in the Marshall Islands, the Society Islands, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, western and eastern Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, Palau, the south Mariana Islands and Pohnpei. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on reef flats or rocky foreshores, at depths of 10 to 25 metres. It probably spawns in October and was described by Addison Emery Verrill in 1866.

Acropora teres is a species of acroporid coral found in the central Indo-Pacific, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic western Pacific Ocean. It is found in tropical shallow reefs on slopes and in lagoons, at depths of between 2 and 20 metres. The taxonomic status of this species is uncertain. It was described as Madrepora teres by Verrill in 1866.

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 dendrum is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Bassett-Smith in 1890. Found in tropical, shallow reefs in areas of powerful waves at depths of 5 to 20 m, it is threatened by disease. 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.

Acropora desalwii is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Dr Carden Wallace in 1994. Found in sheltered, tropical, shallow reefs, mainly on the slopes, this species is generally found at depths below 15 metres, but this can be as low as 30 metres. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population, and is affected by disease. It is common and found over a large area, and is listed under CITES Appendix II.

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

Acropora echinata is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by James Dwight Dana in 1846. Found in shallow, tropical, sheltered reefs in marine environments, it is found at depths of 8 to 25 m in clear water. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and has a decreasing population. It is not common but found over a large area, and is listed under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora elegans is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Henri Milne-Edwards in 1860. Found in sheltered, sloping reefs, this species occurs at 30 to 60 m depth. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and has a decreasing population. It is not common and has a small range, and is listed under CITES Appendix II. It is more resistant to disease than other Acropora species.

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 pharaonis is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Milne-Edwards and Haime in 1860. Found in marine, tropical, reefs on slopes sheltered from wave action, it occurs at depths of between 5 and 25 m. It is classed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and it has a decreasing population. It is common and found over a large area 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.

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

Acropora polystoma is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by G. Brook in 1891. Found in marine, tropical, reefs on upper slopes where waves are strong, it occurs at depths between 3 and 10 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Aeby, G.; Delbeek, J.C.; Lovell, E.; Richards, Z.; Reboton, C.; Bass, D. (2008). "Acropora anthocercis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008: e.T133513A3781375. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133513A3781375.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Acropora anthocercis Fact Sheet. (Brook, 1893)". Australian Institute of Marine Science. 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Measurements and facts about Acropora anthocercis". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. "Acropora anthrocercis (Brook, 1893)". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. "Acropora anthocercis (Brook, 1893)". World Register of Marine Species.