All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the Creative Commons CC0 License; all unstructured text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Staghorn coral is named after its long, cylindrical branches that resemble stag antlers; these branches provide shelter for a plethora of reef species. While there are many different species of Acropora Corals, the Purple Staghorn Acropora Coral is one of the most unique and colorful. This page was last edited on 8 December 2019, at 13:19. Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Staghorn Coral. Staghorn (seen here) and elkhorn corals are listed as Threatened under the U.S. Geographic Distribution. Florida’s coral reefs have enough problems—unprecedented levels of coral disease, climate change, pollution and hurricanes—without struggling to reproduce sexually. Wallace, Carden, Wolstenholme, Jackie, and True, James (1999) Staghorn corals of the world: an identification key and photo library for species of Acropora. Although sexual reproduction occurs through spawning each year in August or September, staghorn coral predominantly reproduces through asexual reproduction. p. 59. Staghorn corals became scarce at depths below 50 m but were found growing in-situ to 73 m depth. 1), indicative of a highly diverse staghorn coral fauna in MCEs of the GBR and Coral Sea.Five of these species were deep-water specialists, which were found exclusively below 40 m depth in this study and of these, three are new records for Australia. Apr 28, 2020 - Staghorn coral were once a dominant species on Caribbean reefs, including those of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.Beginning in the … From: Australian Coral Reef Society Scientific Conference, 3-6 September 1999, South Molle Island. Results and Discussion. Acropora cervicornis is a structurally and functionally important Caribbean Acropora sp. In the Indo-Pacific, where most studies have been conducted, significant but variable degrees of genetic structure have been detected in 11 out of the 15 coral species surveyed, and 2 additional species show significant population structure over 2000 km. Staghorn coral also contain stinging cells (nematocysts) on their tentacles that are used for capturing food. https://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/elkhorn_recovery_plan It occurs in back reef and fore reef environments from 0 to 30 m (0 to 98 ft) depth. Tier: 10-C These corals are found in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, mostly between 25 N to 25 S in suitable habitats. It is critically endangered due to catastrophic disease outbreaks and coral bleaching. (A. cervicornis overview).Each branch with one axial corallite and numerous smaller radial corallites.Height of the colony varying from some centimeters to more than a meter. Branches between 1 and 3 cm thick. The upper limit is defined by wave forces, and the lower limit is controlled by suspended sediments and light availability. The upper limit is defined by wave forces, and the lower limit is controlled by suspended sediments and light availability. It occurs in back reef and fore reef environments from 0 to 30 m (0 to 98 ft) depth. Due to its vibrant purple coloration, the Purple Staghorn Acropora Coral is highly sought after species of Acropora within the reef aquarium hobby. Staghorn corals (genus Acropora) are the most obvious and important corals on coral reefs throughout the world, providing much of the beauty and variety seen on the reefs. The upper limit is defined by wave forces, and the lower limit is controlled by suspended sediments and light availability. The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. Staghorn corals are found in our Live Coral exhibit in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. It is one of the fastest growing coral species in the world. Genetic research has demonstrated that gene flow is regionally restricted across the Caribbean in both species. But struggle they do. It occurs in back reef and fore reef environments from 0 to 30 m (0 to 98 ft) depth. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Science to Support the Recovery of Threatened Corals - NOAA CONSERVATION STATUS: Data deficient CLIMATE CHANGE: Vulnerable At the Aquarium. These changes directly or indirectly affect most species in the marine biome. Staghorn Coral is listed as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Listed in 2006, they were the only coral species under protection until 2014, when 20 other coral species were listed as threatened for a total of 22 species. Acropora Coral Life Cycles: The Staghorn Coral A. cervicornis can grow up to 6 feet (2 m) in ideal conditions. Acropora are found off Mana, Kaua'i, French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles, and Maro Reef. Staghorn corals became scarce at depths below 50 m but were found growing in-situ to 73 m depth. Yet, despite being an important site of coral reef research, little genetic data has been available for the Florida Acropora, especially for the staghorn coral, A. cervicornis. Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. This invaluable reference tool is the first major review of Acropora in over 100 years. Genus Acropora, Table & Staghorn Corals The most common and diverse group in the Indo-Pacific region, the genus is extremely rare in Hawaii. Of the 76 staghorn coral species recorded for shallow waters (depth 30 m) in north-east Australia, 21 % extended to mesophotic depths with a further 22 % recorded only rarely to 40 m depth. • Staghorn corals highlight the impacts of rising sea temperatures and increasing ocean acidification due to climate change. In: Australian Coral Reef Society Scientific Conference. Of the 76 staghorn coral species recorded for shallow waters (depth ≤ 30 m) in north-east Australia, 21% extended to mesophotic depths with a further 22% recorded only rarely to 40 m depth. It is the fastest growing species of coral in western Atlantic waters, growing at a rate of four to eight inches (10.2-20.3 centimeters) every year (National Park Service, n.d.). The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a species of hard coral native to reefs across the western Atlantic, from as far north as Palm Beach down to the western coast of South America. We found a total of 38 staghorn coral species and two potentially undescribed species at mesophotic depths (Table 1, Fig. Climate change and the associated rise in sea temperature is the biggest threat to Staghorn Corals as changes in temperature can cause bleaching – when corals expel their zooxanthellae into the water column. Staghorn coral colonies grow through a process known as fragmentation: when a branch breaks off, it attaches itself to the substrate and forms a new colony. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Staghorn coral is one of the most important providers of habitat for fish and many other species of marine life. Identifying Acropora Corals in the Caribbean • Scuba Diver Life Students will discuss the coral habitat in relation to creating a safe haven for juvenile fish, and for building the reef and protecting the substrate. These corals are found in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, mostly between 25 N to 25 S in suitable habitats. SPECIES IN DETAIL. Both staghorn and elkhorn coral are found in Caribbean waters … The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. Staghorn Coral . Staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) are propagated within underwater coral nurseries to create a sustainable source of corals for use in coral restoration activities (inset). Endangered Specis Act, as their numbers have fallen catastrophically due to disease. Staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816) Description: Colonies loosely branching, all branches circular in cross section. 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