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Project Noah Nature School
Acropora sp.
Acropora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the Phylum Cnidaria. Some of its species are known as table coral, elkhorn coral and staghorn coral. Over 149 species are described (at least 80 of these present in the Philippines). Acropora is one of the major reef corals responsible for building the immense calcium carbonate substructure that supports the thin living skin of a reef. Zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae, live in the corals' cells and produce energy for the animals through photosynthesis. Acropora is especially susceptible to bleaching when stressed. Bleaching is due to the loss of the coral's zooxanthellae, which are a golden-brown color. Bleached corals are stark white and may die if new zooxanthellae cannot be assimilated. Common causes of bleaching and coral death include pollution, abnormally warm water temperatures, increased ocean acidification, sedimentation, and eutrophication.
The sp. in the photo is in the Philippines but the genus is distributed worldwide in tropical areas.
Spotted on Oct 6, 2012
Submitted on Dec 27, 2012
1 Comment
Especially like the second photo with the fish swimming around it