Living BeingsCompare species
Bat-eared Fox
Otocyon megalotis
Acropora millepora
Acropora millepora
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Bat-eared Fox | Acropora millepora |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Very large ears stand above a small, slender body with darker facial and limb markings. | Colonies form branching structures covered by small skeletal cups that house polyps. Colony color alone is insufficient for secure species identification. |
| Habitat and range | Short-grass savannas and other relatively open habitats provide feeding grounds and den sites. | Shallow, well-lit marine reef environments support the coral and its photosynthetic partners. |
| Diet and nutrition | Termites and other insects are important foods, with additional small animals and plant matter taken occasionally. | Polyps capture small suspended food, while algal symbionts contribute photosynthetic products. |
| Behavior and activity | Foraging can track the activity of insect prey. Daily schedules vary with region and season, including differences between hot and cool conditions. | Tentacles and mucus help the colony interact with surrounding seawater. Recognition mechanisms influence responses to microbes. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Data unavailable | Colonies grow by producing additional polyps. Sexual reproduction can release gametes that develop into settling larvae. |
| Geographic distribution | The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe. | The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific reef region. Species-level locality records should accompany detailed range mapping. |
| Ecological role | Data unavailable | Skeletal growth contributes reef structure and habitat. Symbiotic interactions are central to energy supply and colony health. |
| Distinctive adaptations | Data unavailable | A colonial body and partnerships with photosynthetic cells support growth in well-lit reef environments. |
| Conservation | Data unavailable | Thermal stress, bleaching and degradation of reef habitat are concerns. A source on molecular recognition does not establish a current Red List category. |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Eumetazoa.