How does Acropora coral get its energy?

Most of its energy comes from photosynthetic algae (Symbiodinium) living in its tissue, though its polyps also extend at night to capture plankton directly.

Why is Acropora coral vulnerable to bleaching?

Heat stress, ocean acidification, sedimentation, and pollution can cause the coral to expel its symbiotic algae, turning it white and cutting off its main energy source; ten species were listed as threatened in the U.S. in 2014.

Where is Acropora coral found?

It is the dominant reef-building coral across the Indo-Pacific, with over 100 species there, plus 3 species native to the Caribbean.

Staghorn Coral (Acropora)ミドリイシ

Acropora granulosaNT— Near Threatened

Acropora, known in Japan as midoriishi, is the largest and most diverse genus of reef-building corals, forming the branching and table-shaped colonies that give many Indo-Pacific reefs their structure — and among the corals most vulnerable to bleaching from ocean warming.

Staghorn Coral (Acropora) (reference photo) — Photo: Kate Osborne / CC BY 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Scleractinia / Acroporidae Source
Size: Colonies grow in branching or table-like forms and can exceed 1 m in diameter under good conditions
Diet: Filter feeder Obtains most of its energy from photosynthetic products through symbiosis with zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium), and also extends its polyps at night to capture zooplankton
Distribution: Acropora is the most species-rich genus of reef-building coral, with over 100 species in the Indo-Pacific and 3 species in the Caribbean. Source
Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Acropora is the most speciose genus of stony coral and one of the primary reef-building corals shaping reefs worldwide. Source
Bleaching occurs when the coral loses its symbiotic algae under stress from warming water, acidification, or pollution; in 2014 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed ten Acropora species as threatened. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0

Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Near Threatened (NT)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How does Acropora coral get its energy?: Most of its energy comes from photosynthetic algae (Symbiodinium) living in its tissue, though its polyps also extend at night to capture plankton directly. Source
Why is Acropora coral vulnerable to bleaching?: Heat stress, ocean acidification, sedimentation, and pollution can cause the coral to expel its symbiotic algae, turning it white and cutting off its main energy source; ten species were listed as threatened in the U.S. in 2014. Source
Where is Acropora coral found?: It is the dominant reef-building coral across the Indo-Pacific, with over 100 species there, plus 3 species native to the Caribbean. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org