Acropora kirstyae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Acropora kirstyae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Acroporidae |
| Genus: | Acropora |
| Species: | A. kirstyae |
| Binomial name | |
| Acropora kirstyae Veron & Wallace, 1984 | |
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 (33 to 82 ft), 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 kirstyae forms in colonies of branches forming from a central point, and the structure features many thin branches and sub-branches, and incipient axial corallites are present.[2] The branches can reach lengths of around 120 millimetres (4.7 in).[3] The tips of these branches are generally white, and the species is a pale orange-to-brown colour. The radial corallites are tube-shaped, tightly packed, and orderly, however become irregular towards the ends of the branches. At the ends of the branches, flaring lips may be present. It resembles Acropora exquisita.[2] It occurs in marine, tropical, shallow reefs in sheltered water, and in sheltered lagoons. It also exists in sheltered reef slopes, at depths of 10 to 25 m (33 to 82 ft). It reaches maturity at between three and eight.[1] It is composed of aragonite (calcium carbonate).[4]