Acropora loripes, commonly known as Acropora Loripes, is a species of hard coral found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a branching coral with a distinctive morphology that sets it apart from other Acropora species.
Description & Characteristics
Acropora loripes is characterized by its branching growth form, with branches that are typically short and thick. The corallite structure, which are the individual polyps that make up the coral colony, are small and numerous, giving the coral a rough, textured surface. The coral can range in color from light brown to dark brown, with some colonies exhibiting a greenish or yellowish hue. The maximum size of Acropora loripes colonies is typically around 1 meter in diameter.
Habitat and Occurrence
Acropora loripes is a shallow-water coral species, typically found in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. This means it thrives in marine environments extending from the lower limit of the intertidal zone, where the ocean meets the land, down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters in depth. Acropora loripes is categorized as a neritic species, which indicates its preference for waters over the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
Acropora loripes is scientifically classified within the phylum Cnidaria, which includes a diverse group of aquatic invertebrates. The species belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Scleractinia, and Family: Acroporidae. This classification highlights its relationship to other stony corals within the Acropora genus.
Feeding
Acropora loripes, like many other coral species, rely on a combination of feeding methods to obtain nutrients. It primarily acquires food through a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within the coral tissues. These algae photosynthesize, providing the coral with a substantial portion of its energy requirements. Additionally, Acropora loripes is a filter feeder, capturing plankton and dissolved organic substances from the surrounding water column. These dissolved substances include dissolved inorganic compounds like sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and inorganic phosphorus (IP). This diverse feeding strategy allows Acropora loripes to thrive in its coral reef habitat.
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