Acropora jacquelineae

Acropora jacquelineae is a species of acroporid coral found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the central and western Pacific Ocean. It can be found offshore of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Samoan Islands, and the Solomon Islands. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on reef slopes and flats in subtidal areas, at depths of around between 15 and 35 metres (49 and 115 ft). It was described by Carden Wallace in 1994.

Acropora jacquelineae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Species:
A. jacquelineae
Binomial name
Acropora jacquelineae
(Wallace, 1994)
Synonyms

Description

The species is found in colonies with diameters of up to 1 metre (39 in) in plate structures. Its axial corallites are delicate and curved, which makes colonies of the species have an appearance similar to moss. Radial corallites are not present on this uncommon species, which is either pinkish or grey-brown in colour. It has similar features to Acropora paniculata.[2]

Distribution

It is classed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List and it is believed that its population is decreasing; the species is also 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 eastern Indian Ocean and the central and western Pacific Ocean. It can be found offshore of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Samoan Islands, and the Solomon Islands, and occurs at depths of around between 15 and 35 metres (49 and 115 ft) on subtidal areas of tropical shallow reefs on slopes and flats.[1]

Taxonomy

It was described by Carden Wallace in 1994 as Acropora jacquelineae.[3]

References
  1. Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G. & Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora jacquelineae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Acropora jacquelineae". Australian Institute of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  3. "Acropora jacquelineae". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
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