Galleries : Undying Tales 2021 : UT 18 - Elkhorn Coral (Coral Reefs)
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Acropora palmata Status: Critically Endangered. 22 coral species are threatened, and three are endangered. This status continues to change as climate change affects ocean temperatures and pollution increases. Some other threatened corals: Elegance coral, crisp pillow coral, horastrea coral, pillar coral, elliptical star coral, mushroom coral, parasimplastrea coral, pearl bubble coral, ctenella coral. Coral reefs are sometimes called the rainforests of the ocean, and tropical coral reefs support a huge amount of biodiversity and ocean life. The ancient Greek myth of Perseus tells of the origin of coral. To rescue Andromeda, the hero petrified that great sea monster by using Medusa’s head. The beast shattered and crumbled to vanish as silt and pebbles beneath the ocean waves. As Perseus set Medusa’s head upon the riverbank to wash his hands, some of the blood seeped down and into the water. Where it touched seaweed, the reeds and fronds were hardened to stone as well, and this became the first coral.
Size: 7 x 7 inches Detail closeups:
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