Acropora Microclados

Acropora microclados is a species of acroporid coral that was initially identified by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1834. This coral species is primarily found in marine, tropical shallow reefs on the upper slopes, usually at depths ranging from 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet). As per the IUCN Red List, it is classified as a vulnerable species, with its population facing a declining trend. Although not commonly found, it is distributed across a wide area, including five regions of 🇮🇩 Indonesia, and is categorized under CITES Appendix II.

Acropora microclados forms colonies with corymbose structures, which can reach widths of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet). The structures consist of branchlets that are short, thin at the ends, orderly arranged, and have branchlet bases reaching up to 10 mm (0.39 in) in width. The color of this coral species is typically pale pink or brown, with tentacles extending during the day and appearing grey. The branchlets contain axial, incipient axial, and radial corallites. Axial corallites, tube-shaped and located at the end of branchlets, are frequently accompanied by incipient axial corallites. Radial corallites, also tube-shaped, are densely distributed up the sides of the branchlets and have nose-shaped openings. Acropora microclados closely resembles Acropora lamarcki, Acropora macrostoma, and Acropora massawensis.

The habitat of this species is characterized by tropical shallow reefs on the upper slopes, situated at depths between 5 and 20 meters (16 and 66 feet) below sea level. The composition of Acropora microclados consists of aragonite, which is a form of calcium carbonate.

It should be noted that Acropora microclados has a wide distribution range despite being uncommon in occurrence. This species can be found in various regions, including the 🌊 Indo-Pacific Ocean, the 🌊 Red Sea, the 🌊 Indian Ocean, the 🌊 Gulf of Aden, the 🌊 East China Sea, the West Pacific, the 🇨🇰 Cook Islands, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇯🇵 Japan, Southeast Asia, 🇼🇸 Samoa, and Chagos (🇮🇴 British Indian Ocean Territory). Within 🇮🇩 Indonesia, it exists in five distinct regions. The optimal temperature range for this coral species is between 25.48°C and 27.23°C (77.86°F and 81.01°F). Although specific population data is lacking, a decline in numbers is suspected. Acropora microclados faces multiple threats, such as climate change, which leads to rising sea temperatures resulting in bleaching, reef destruction, coral diseases, predation by the starfish Acanthaster planci, and human activities.