Acropora hoeksemai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Acropora hoeksemai | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Acroporidae |
| Genus: | Acropora |
| Species: | A. hoeksemai |
| Binomial name | |
| Acropora hoeksemai Wallace, 1997 | |
Acropora hoeksemai is a species of acroporid coral that was first described by Dr. Carden Wallace in 1997. Found in shallow reefs in a marine environment, it is found at depths of 8 to 20 m (26 to 66 ft). It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and has a decreasing population. It is common, listed on Appendix II of CITES, and is found over a large range.
Acropora hoeksemai is found in colonies that can be 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) wide, made of branches joined in the centre of the structure.[2] Some larger colonies have been observed at over 4 metres (13 ft).[3] It is a light brown, white, or cream colour, and the branch ends are upturned, except on the outside of the structure.[3][2] These branches are not regular, and contain both axial and radial corallites. Axial corallites can have diameters of between 2 and 2.6 millimetres (0.079 and 0.102 in).[3] Radial corallites are tube-shaped, neat, orderly, and they are the same sizes. They contain basic spinules.[2][3] The branches may grow to lengths of up to 150 millimetres (5.9 in) and diameters of between 7 and 15 millimetres (0.28 and 0.59 in).[3] It is found in marine environments in shallow reefs at depths of 8 to 20 m (26 to 66 ft), and also on slopes and walls of reefs.[1] It reaches maturity at between three and eight years, and it is believed to survive for more than ten years.[1] It is composed of aragonite (calcium carbonate).[4] When grown in captivity it reaches lengths of up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in).[5] A. hoeksemai looks similar to Acropora valenciennesi and species of the Acropora divaricata group.[3]