Kingdom Animalia Class Anthozoa Family Acroporidae Rank Species | Phylum Cnidaria Order Scleractinia Genus Acropora | |
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Acropora ocellata is a species of acroporid coral found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, north, west and south Australia, and the Raja Ampat Islands. It is also found in Palau and the Mariana Islands. It occurs in tropical shallow reefs on outer slopes, from depths of 2 to 12 metres (6 ft 7 in to 39 ft 4 in). It may be synonymous with A. lutkeni. It was described by Klunzinger in 1879.
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Description
It occurs in digitate colonies consisting of thick tapering branches. Branches contain a single axial corallite; incipient axial corallites and branchlets can be found towards the bases of branches. Its radial corallites may be large and round, or small and immersed in the branch. The species is a pale brown colour and branches have white tips. It looks similar to Acropora arabensis, Acropora chesterfieldensis, Acropora gemmifera, Acropora humilis, and Acropora monticulosa.
Distribution
It is classed as a data deficient 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. It occurs in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the southwest Indian Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific, north, west and south Australia, and the Raja Ampat Islands; it also occurs in the Mariana Islands and Palau. The species is found at depths of between 2 and 12 metres (6 ft 7 in and 39 ft 4 in) on the outer slopes of tropical shallow reefs.
Taxonomy
It was described as Madrepora ocellata by Klunzinger in 1879.