Acropora tenuis

Acropora tenuis
Conservation status
	; Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Hexacorallia
Order:	Scleractinia
Family:	Acroporidae
Genus:	Acropora
Species:	A. tenuis
Binomial name
	Acropora tenuis; (Dana, 1846)
Synonyms
	List Acropora africana (Brook, 1893); Acropora kenti (Brook, 1892); Acropora macrostoma (Brook, 1891); Acropora plana Nemenzo, 1967; Madrepora africana Brook, 1893; Madrepora bifaria Brook, 1892; Madrepora kenti Brook, 1892; Madrepora macrostoma Brook, 1891; Madrepora tenuis Dana, 1846;

Acropora tenuis is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest, northwest and northern Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic west and central Pacific Ocean. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes and in subtidal habitats, at depths of 8 to 20 metres (26 to 66 ft).

Description

It occurs in corymbose colonies containing orderly-spaced branchlets. It has tube-shaped axial corallites and radial corallites have flaring lips. It is blue, cream, yellow or green in colour, and is similar to Acropora vermiculata.^[2]

Distribution

It is classed as a near threatened species on the IUCN Red List and it is believed that its population is decreasing; the species 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 southwest, northwest and northern Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea, and the oceanic western and central Pacific Ocean. It is found at depths of between 8 and 20 metres (26 and 66 ft) in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes and in subtidal areas.^[1]

Biology

Acropora tenuis is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Spawning takes place once a year and is synchronised among the colonies in any one locality. Packets of eggs and sperm are released into the water column and, being buoyant, rise to the surface. Here the packets break up and cross-fertilisation takes place with gametes from different colonies intermixing.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G.; Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora tenuis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T133020A54177216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133020A54177216.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ "Acropora tenuis". Australian Institute of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
^ Heyward, A.J.; Babcock, R.C. (1986). "Self- and cross-fertilization in scleractinian corals". Marine Biology. 90 (2): 191–195. doi:10.1007/BF00569127. S2CID 85911200.

[iucn_status_19_November_2021-1] Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G.; Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora tenuis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T133020A54177216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T133020A54177216.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[2] "Acropora tenuis". Australian Institute of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.

[3] Heyward, A.J.; Babcock, R.C. (1986). "Self- and cross-fertilization in scleractinian corals". Marine Biology. 90 (2): 191–195. doi:10.1007/BF00569127. S2CID 85911200.

[1]

[2]

[3]