Acanthastrea brevis [SEP] IUCN conservation status
Acanthastrea brevis
Acanthastrea brevis is a vulnerable species of stony coral found in reef habitats at depths of 1–20 m. It is threatened by habitat loss and crown-of-thorns starfish predation. It is particularly susceptible to coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
Distribution.
It is widespread and found from the waters of Madagascar and Saudi Arabia in the Indian Ocean to Micronesia and Samoa in the Pacific.
Biology.
"Acanthastrea brevis" is a zooxanthellate species of coral. It obtains most of its nutritional needs from
Acanthastrea
Acanthastrea is a genus of large polyp stony corals in the family Lobophylliidae. The colonies are massive and usually flat. The corallites are either circular or angular in shape. The septa are thick near the wall of the corallite, becoming thin near the columella, and have tall teeth. The polyps are extended only at night.
The genus contains the following species:
- "Acanthastrea brevis"
- "Acanthastrea echinata"
- "Acanthastrea hemprichii"
- "Acanthastrea minuta"
- "Acanthastrea