Acropora samoensis

Acropora samoensis is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest and northern Indian Ocean, 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 of reefs, from depths of 5 to 15 metres (16 to 49 ft). It was described by Brook in 1891.

Acropora samoensis

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Species:
A. samoensis
Binomial name
Acropora samoensis
(Brook, 1891)
Synonyms
  • Acropora torresiana Veron, 2000
  • Acropora wallacea Veron, 1990
  • Madrepora samoensis Brook, 1891

Description

It occurs in digitate colonies that are either prostrate or corymbose and have diameters up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). Its branches taper slightly towards the ends and are curved. Its axial corallites have diameters at least double the size of its radial corallites and are dome-shaped; its radial corallites are tube-shaped. It is blue, cream, or purple in colour, and looks similar to Acropora torresiana.[2]

Distribution

It is classed as a least concern species on the IUCN Red List, but it is believed that its population is decreasing, 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 southwest and northern Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, the East China Sea and the oceanic west and central Pacific Ocean. It is found at depths of between 5 and 15 metres (16 and 49 ft) in tropical shallow reefs on upper slopes.[1]

Taxonomy

It was described as Madrepora samoensis by Brook in 1891.[3]

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References
  1. Richards, Z.T.; Delbeek, J.T.; Lovell, E.R.; Bass, D.; Aeby, G. & Reboton, C. (2014). "Acropora samoensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T132998A54174146. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T132998A54174146.en.
  2. "Acropora samoensis". Australian Institute of Marine Science. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. "Acropora samoensis". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
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