But fast is relative in the coral world; a colony of staghorn coral may only grow four inches (10 cm) per year. Elkhorn coral Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816) Description: Colonies with thick rounded or flat branches, without distinct axial corallites. Kingdom AnimaliaPhylum CnidariaClass AnthozoaSubclass HexacoralliaOrder ScleractiniaGenus AcroporaSpecies Acropora palmata, Status in World Register of Marine SpeciesAccepted name: Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), Scientific synonyms and common namesElkhorn coral [English]Elandsgeweikoraal [Dutch]Acropore bois d'élan [French]Corail corne d'élan [French]Elchgewei-Koralle [German]Koral kachu grandi [Papiamentu]. Elkhorn coral can form dense groups called thickets in very shallow water. Corals are marine invertebrates within the class Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria. It is a photosymbiotroph. Lettuce coral Lettuce Coral. As this coral grows, it forms a gnarling form like a branch from a tree growing on the windward side of a mountain. The number one threat for coral reefs globally is climate change. While recognized as two separate species in scientific literature, they inhabit similar ranges and share many of the same characteristics. Elkhorn corals: as the name suggests, these types of corals resemble the branched horns of elk or deer. Seashore life of Florida and the Carribbean. These corals get their name from the fact that they form a crust on a substrate, and spread across the surface creating a thin colorful surface. Euphyllia paradivisa, also known as branching frogspawn coral, is a stony coral that is common in the Coral Triangle area. (ed.) This is just an expression of opinion. Often referred to as “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs are perhaps the greatest, most vibrant expressions of ocean life. It has alternation of generations, asexual reproduction, and sexual reproduction; it is a broadcast spawner and a hermaphrodite. SAVING ELKHORN CORALS. Roos, P.J., 1964. But fast is relative in the coral world; a colony of staghorn coral may only grow four inches (10 cm) per year. It, along with staghorn coral and star corals (boulder, lobed, and mountainous), built Caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years. Colony diameter up to 3.5 meter, and more than 1 meter in height. The most common of these is the staghorn coral. Elkhorn coral is the largest acroporid coral. Many steps have been taken within the Dutch Caribbean to protect this and other valuable coral species. Staghorn and Elkhorn coral are harvested for building materials, souvenirs, jewelery, and for aquariums. It has brown to tan branches that spread like flat fans with white on the outer growing margins. This type of coral is common in the Caribbean and several species form plates and blades with intricate corallites. Name: n/a. A snorkeler swims among healthy Elkhorn corals off Key Largo in the Florida Keys in the early 1980s. They tend to protrude vertically with many several off shooting side branches. The coral structure closely resembles that of elk antlers. It is listed as critically endangered by IUCN and in CITES Appendix II. This species of coral is structurally complex with many large branches. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata): This coral is considered to be one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean. Figure 2-3. Contact; Thank you for your support! The coral structure resembles that of elk horns, and they create the perfect habitat for many other species of the reef. --- Elkhorn coral (Scientific name: Acropora palmata; Quantity: 34,713; Red list status: critically endangered; Top animal ... endangered; Top animal/product type: specimens; Top purpose: scientific)--- Staghorn coral (Scientific name: Acropora cervicornis; Quantity: 15,462; Red list status: critically endangered; Top animal/product type: raw corals; Top purpose: scientific) Hammerheads … Elkhorn Coral form shallow marine sediment s. It is a photosymbiotroph. The shallow-water stony corals of the Netherlands Antilles. It is a fast growing species and is one of the most important reef-building species in the Caribbean. At their base is a hard, protective limestone skeleton called a calicle, which forms the structure of coral reefs. The distribution of reef corals in Curacao. Humann, P., 1993. Studies on the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands, 130. Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) may refer to the following downloads: Elkhorn Coral (Dycki1231) Therefore, we consider them a reef-building coral. http://eol.org/schema/terms/criticallyEndangered, http://apiv3.iucnredlist.org/api/v3/taxonredirect/133006, https://www.speciesplus.net/#/taxon_concepts/3118/legal, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/NCIT_C25513, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_03000034, http://eol.org/schema/terms/photosymbiotroph, http://eol.org/schema/terms/alternatingReproduction, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GO_0019954, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GO_0019953, http://eol.org/schema/terms/broadcastSpawner, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spawn_(biology)#Crustaceans, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/UBERON_0007197, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/RO_0002470, http://eol.org/schema/terms/EcomorphologicalGuild, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/RO_0002303, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_01000687, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_01000024, http://eol.org/schema/terms/fossilOccPBDB, http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GO_0000003, http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/SupportingStructuresEnclosures. It is listed as critically endangered by IUCN and in cites appendix ii. This species is structurally complex with many large branches. 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. Branch diameter between 5 and 25 cm, and 1-3 cm thick .Color:Golden-brown with light rims.Corallites:Corallites are porous protruding tubes, less than 5 mm long and 0.5-0.8 mm in diameter. Reef Coral Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. Area: Pacific. Color: Golden-brown with light rims. Give us feedback. What do Staghorn Corals eat? Staghorn corals grow fast to shade out other corals and gain more space on the reef. Branch diameter between 5 and 25 cm, and 1-3 cm thick . Relatives of the sea anemone and every bit as splashy, corals display hues ranging from brilliant orange and deep salmon to pale pink and subtle violet. Coral species include the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. The Elkhorn coral, also known as Acropora palmata, is an important coral of the Caribbean coral reef. They typically live in compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Elkhorn Coral is a sessile animal. Elkhorn coralAcropora palmata(Lamarck, 1816)Description:Colonies with thick rounded or flat branches, without distinct axial corallites. http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SupportingStructuresEnclosures Common Name(s): Pore coral / Elkhorn coral Scientific/Other Name(s) : Montipora Hirsuta Care Level : Medium Lighting Requirements: Medium/High Flow Requirements: Medium/High Tank Position: Medium / High Feeding Requirements: The coral receives most of its nutrition through photosynthesis.It will also benefit from occasional additional food offered in the form of liquid or dried … Dead Elkhorn Coral form shallow marine sediments. Elkhorn is an intricate, relatively thin branching coral with an army green background and white growth tips and highlights on the coral body. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Colony diameter up to 3.5 meter, and more than 1 meter in height. Common Name(s): elkhorn coral : Taxonomic Status: Current Standing: valid Data Quality Indicators: Record Credibility Rating: ... Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. Laticauda colubrina Photo Credit: Ken Marks. The yellow-brown, broad branches resemble elk antlers; and so the common name. These provide important habitat for other reef animals, especially fish. You can continue searching for Acropora palmata on one of these Web sites: Fauna Europaea (animals) | IOPI (plants) | NCBI (genetic). http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/UBERON_0010362. A popular choice as a home for lobsters, parrot-fish, snappers and other reef fish. 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