Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn coral) - Animal Diversity Web.

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While the growth patterns of Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis were documented in the past, growth was only reported based on linear extension of a subset of branches within colonies, ,, and no information on the role of coral genotype was previously examined, except for the recent study by Griffin et al. that reported on the growth of six staghorn genotypes in Puerto Rico.

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Description. Acropora prolifera is very similar to staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in appearance but usually forms smaller, denser clumps.The branches are mostly horizontal and often divide near the tip, sometimes fusing with other branches. It also resembles elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and genetic studies show that it is a hybrid between that and staghorn coral.

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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. This invaluable reference tool is the first major review of Acropora in over 100 years. It assesses all the known species worldwide, describing each in detail and illustrating the range of variability of form with habitat.

Similar Species: Acropora nana and A. variabilis. Acropora cerealis and A. nasuta are similar but the strongly appressed radial corallites of A. valida are distinctive. Habitat: A wide range of reef environments and rocky foreshores. Abundance: Sometimes common.

The endangered Acropora cervicornis coral has been considered a bellwether for coral reef habitat change. Given the recent discovery of a concentrated region of growth off Belize, our group is.

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Here, we show that territorial damselfishes are a significant source of mortality to recovering and restored populations of the threatened staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis along the Florida Reef Tract. Damselfish occupation and impacts are influenced by the size of the staghorn colonies, with larger, more complex colonies having a higher prevalence of damselfish occupation.

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.

Acropora palmata has been termed “the most important shallow water coral in the Caribbean and western Atlantic” in terms of reef growth (Hubbard 1997). Additionally, because of its structural complexity, A. cervicornis has also been referred to as “one of the three most important Caribbean corals in terms of its contribution to reef growth and fish and invertebrate habitat” (NOAA 2004).