Alveopora viridis

Alveopora viridis is a zooxanthellate species of coral.^[2] It obtains most of its nutritional needs from the symbiotic dinoflagellates that live inside its soft tissues. These photosynthetic organisms provide the coral with organic carbon and nitrogen, sometimes providing up to 90% of their host's energy needs for metabolism and growth. The remaining needs of the colony are met from the assimilation of planktonic organisms caught by the tentacles of the polyps.^[4]

This coral is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching and it is harvested for the reef aquarium trade. All corals receive protection by being listed on CITES Appendix II. The main threats faced by corals are related to climate change; the mechanical destruction of their coral reef habitats, increasing damage from extreme weather events, rising sea water temperatures and ocean acidification. Alveopora viridis has a wide range but has a number of separate subpopulations and is generally uncommon. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "near-threatened".^[1]