Acropora Spathulata, also known as Acropora spathulata, is a species of stony coral that belongs to the family Acroporidae. It is a branching coral characterized by its distinctive growth form and delicate structure.
Description & Characteristics
Acropora spathulata typically forms branching colonies with a wide array of morphologies, including arborescent (tree-like) and digitate (finger-like) shapes. The corallite, or individual polyp housing, is relatively small and typically spaced closely together, giving the colony a densely branching appearance. The branches of Acropora spathulata are often thin and fragile, contributing to its delicate nature. Colonies of Acropora spathulata can reach a maximum size of several meters in diameter, although smaller colonies are more common.
Habitat and Occurrence
Acropora spathulata is a species found in the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans, inhabiting the lower limit of the intertidal zone up to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters in depth. This wide depth range indicates the species’ adaptability to varying light and water conditions. The species is commonly found in the neritic marine zone, which encompasses the waters over the continental shelves.
Taxonomy
The species Acropora spathulata belongs to the family Acroporidae, which is part of the order Scleractinia. The order Scleractinia, commonly known as stony corals, falls under the Class Hexacorallia, encompassing all corals with six or multiples of six tentacles.
Feeding
Acropora spathulata is a heterotrophic organism that primarily relies on a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, single-celled algae that live within its tissues. The zooxanthellae utilize sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis, providing the coral with a significant portion of its food source. Acropora spathulata also obtains nutrients through filter feeding, capturing plankton and other small organisms from the surrounding water. The coral’s feeding process is facilitated by the flow of water through its polyp openings.
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