Acropora 2168731 212772374 2008-05-16T04:45:57Z 66.25.157.129 /* Anatomy and Distribution */ {{Taxobox | name = ''Acropora'' | image = Acropora pulchra.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''Acropora pulchra'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Cnidaria]] | classis = [[Anthozoa]] | ordo = [[Scleractinia]] | familia = [[Acroporidae]] | genus = '''''Acropora''''' | genus_authority = Oken, 1815 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = ''[[Acropora cervicornis]]''<br /> ''Acropora cytherea''<br /> ''Acropora echinata''<br /> ''Acropora humilis''<br /> ''[[Acropora palmata]]''<br /> ''Acropora paniculata''<br /> ''Acropora tumida''<br /> ''Acropora valida''<br /> ''Acropora yongei''<br /> and numerous others...}} '''''Acropora''''' is a genus of [[coral]] in the phylum [[Cnidaria]]. == Anatomy and Distribution == [[Image:AcroporaCloseUp.jpg|100px|thumb|left|Extreme close-up of one ''Acropora'' colony's network of polyps]] Depending on the species and location, ''Acropora'' may grow as plates or slender or broad branches. Like other corals, ''Acropora'' corals are actually colonies of individuals, known as polyps, which are about 2 mm across and share [[tissue (biology)|tissue]] and a [[nerve net]]. The polyps can withdraw back into the coral in response to movement or disturbance by possible predators, but when undisturbed they protrude slightly. The polyps usually extend further at night as they capture zooplankton from the water. Acropora genus corals are most common in shallow reef environments with bright light and moderate to high water motion. Many small reef fishes live near acropora colonies and retreat into the thicket of branches if threatened. == Threats == These corals have [[zooxanthellae]], [[symbiotic]] [[algae]] that live in the corals' [[cell (biology)|cell]]s and produce energy for the animals through [[photosynthesis]]. Environmental destruction has led to a dwindling of populations of ''Acropora'', along with other coral species. Acropora corals are especially succeptible 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, sedimentation and excess nutrients from runoff. == Reefkeeping == Most acropora corals are brown or green but a few are brightly colored and those rare corals are prized by aquarists. Captive propagation of acropora corals is widespread in the reefkeeping community. If given the right conditions, acropora corals grow quickly and individual colonies can exceed 1 meter across in the wild. In a well maintained reef aquarium, finger-sized fragments can easily grow into basketball-sized colonies in 1 to 2 years. [[Image:Acropora coral ffs.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Coral of genus ''Acropora'' (Acroporidae) at French Frigate Shoals, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands]] [[Image:Montipora2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Coral of genus ''Acropora'' (Acroporidae) South-Chinese Sea.]] ==External links== {{wikispecies|Acropora}} {{commonscat|Acropora}} * {{ITIS|ID=52860|name=Acropora}} [[Category:Anthozoa]] [[Category:Coral reefs]] [[de:Acropora]] [[fr:Acropora]] [[nl:Acroporidae]]