Acropora anthocercis

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Acropora anthocercis
Acropora anthocercis.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
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]

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

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

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

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

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

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<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.

Acropora tenella 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 occurs on lower slopes of reefs at depths of 25 to 70 metres.

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

Acropora humilis, also known as finger coral, is a species of acroporid coral found in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the northern and southwestern Indian Ocean, Australia, the central Indo-Pacific, Japan, southeast Asia, the East China Sea, the central and western Pacific Ocean, the Johnston Atoll and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It also occurs in the Raja Ampat Islands, Mariana Islands, Palau, and the Pitcairn Islands. Occurring in tropical shallow reefs on upper reef flats and slopes at depths of up to 12 metres (39 ft), it was described by Dana in 1846.

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 awi is a species of acroporid coral that was described by Wallace and Wolstenholme in 1998. Found in fringing reefs, the slopes of shallow reefs, and sandy slopes, it occurs in a marine environment. The species is rated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population, and is easily damaged. It can be found over a large area but is not abundant.

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 donei</i> Species of coral

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

Acropora echinata is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by 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.

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

Acropora hemprichii is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1834. Found in shallow reefs in marine environments, this species occurs at depths of 3 to 15 m, and lives for between 13 and 24 years. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and has a decreasing population. It is common with a wide range, and is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

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

Acropora horrida is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by James Dwight Dana in 1846. Found in tropical, shallow reefs in marine environments, it occurs near fringing reefs around turbid water, at depths of 5 to 20 m. 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 under CITES Appendix II.

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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.

<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.