dcsimg

Acropora valida

provided by wikipedia EN

Acropora valida is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwestern, northwestern and northern Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea, the oceanic western, central and far eastern Pacific Ocean, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs in a variety of reef habitats, at depths of 1 to 15 metres (3 ft 3 in to 49 ft 3 in).

Taxonomy

It was originally described as Madrepora valida by Dana in 1846.[2]

Description

It is found in colonies of varying shapes, with diameters sometimes above 0.5 metres (20 in). It has small axial corallites and its radial corallites are appressed and in a variety of sizes. It is brown, cream, or yellow in colour, and branch tips are sometimes purple. It looks similar to Acropora variabilis.[3]

Distribution

It is classed as a least concern species on the IUCN Red List, but it is believed that its population is decreasing in line with the global decline of coral reefs, and it is listed under Appendix II of CITES. Figures of its population 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 (Acanthaster planci) and disease.[1] It occurs in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwestern, northwestern and northern Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea, the oceanic western, central and far eastern Pacific Ocean, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It is found at depths of between 1 and 15 metres (3 ft 3 in and 49 ft 3 in) in tropical shallow reefs in a large range of reef habitats.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G.; Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora valida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T133293A54231035. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133293A54231035.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Acropora valida". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Acropora valida". Australian Institute of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Acropora valida: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Acropora valida is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwestern, northwestern and northern Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea, the oceanic western, central and far eastern Pacific Ocean, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs in a variety of reef habitats, at depths of 1 to 15 metres (3 ft 3 in to 49 ft 3 in).

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Colonies are caespitose, small bushes when small, but develop into brackets or corymbose plates up to almost a metre across when fully developed. Corallites are tubular or appressed, usually with thick lips, and appear to be closely packed together. Those on the undersides of the main branches are smaller, sparse, and mostly immersed. The main branches of older colonies may grow horizontally, in which case branchlets curve up vertically from them. Small fragments of branches which do not reveal the corymbose colony structure may look very similar to a large A. nasuta. This is a common coral found in both clear and fairly turbid water, mostly where illumination is good (Sheppard, 1998). Colonies are mostly caespitose-corymbose but have a wide range of forms from compact brushes to tables. Radial corallites are usually a mixture of sizes and are strongly appressed with small openings. Colour: cream brown or yellow, sometimes brown with purple branch tips and cream corallites, a colour shared by A. secale and other species. Abundance: Very abundant and occurs in a wide range of environments. Colonies seldom exceed 0.5 m in diameter (Veron, 1986). One of the most abundant and widespread corals. Colony shape varies from low, domed clusters of short branches to bushy or tabular colonies up to 1 m in diameter. But usually occurs in compact clumps. Corallites are close to the branches (appressed) or tubular with small openings. They vary in size and are generally smaller on the underside of the branches. Colour: usually cream to yellowish-brown, sometimes with pinkish tips to the branches and whitish corallites. Habitat: diverse common on upper reef slopes (Richmond, 1997).

Reference

Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 118 (Includes a picture).

license
cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
contributor
Edward Vanden Berghe [email]