Acropora tenella

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Acropora tenella
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Species:
A. tenella
Binomial name
Acropora tenella
(Brook, 1892)
Synonyms
  • Acropora eibliPillai & Scheer, 1976
  • Madrepora tenellaBrook, 1892

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 (82 to 230 ft).

Taxonomy

It was described by Brook in 1892 as Madrepora tenella. It is also known under its synonym of Acropora eibli, which it was described under by Pillai and Scheer in 1976. [2]

Description

It occurs in colonies with plate-like structures arranged horizontally. Its branches are flattened and often diverge; they often contain broad central ridges. Its axial corallites are distinct; it has radial corallites that are distinct and are laterally present on some older branches but are generally placed irregularly over the branches. The coral is cream in colour and its branches have either blue or white ends. [3]

Distribution

It is listed as a threatened species on the Endangered Species Act and it is believed that its population is decreasing in line with the global decline of coral reefs; the species is also listed under Appendix II of CITES. Figures of the population of A. tenella are unknown, but is likely to be threatened by the global reduction of coral reefs, the increase of temperature causing coral bleaching, climate change, human activity, the crown-of-thorns starfish and disease. [1] It occurs in the central Indo-Pacific, southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic western Pacific Ocean. The species is found at depths of between 25 and 70 metres (82 and 230 ft) on the lower slopes of reefs. [1]

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

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

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<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.

<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 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Aeby, G.; Lovell, E.R.; Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Reboton, C.; Bass, D. (2014). "Acropora tenella". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T133203A54212697. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133203A54212697.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "Acropora tenella". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. "Acropora tenella". Australian Institute of Marine Science. Retrieved 15 August 2015.