a field guide on coral
The livelihood of coral is in grave danger. The twin perils brought by climate change – an increase in the temperature of the ocean and in its acidity – threaten their very existence.
Contents
11
Sun Coral
13
Gorgonian Fans
15
Yellow Fiji Leather
17
Tube Sponges
19
Yellow Polyps
21
Brain Coral
23
Fire Coral
25
Leaf Plates
27
Elkhorn Coral
29
Giant Green Anemone
31
References
32
Where are they?
11°53’25.4”S 143°39’37.0”E
sun corals
are vital for
building
reefs
Tubastraea Aurea
11
Sun Corals belong to the stony coral group, which means their soft flesh is supported by a tough, calcium carbonate skeleton. Their skeletons are comparatively slim and dainty.
size up to 5 in Location Coral Sea; Great Barrier Reef
Sun Corals can be recognized by their yellow orange color and blazing sun look. These creatures are an unusual species because they are carnivorous corals who don’t rely on photosynthesis to sustain themselves. Sun Corals are mostly found at the mouth of caves or under rocky ledges. The location of these corals allows for them to utilize the strong current to snatch any prey passing by.
Range Sunlight zone; 0-131 ft
Not Endangered
32°18’20.5”N 64°43’35.8”W
Swiftia kofoidi
13
Gorgonians produce unusual organic compounds in their tissues, particularly prostaglandin, which is being developed to fight cancer. These compounds help gorgonians defend themselves from potential predators, as these componds render fans distasteful.
size up to 20 in
Red Gorgonian Fans or more commonly known as, red sea fans are known for their treelike appearance, that allows them to catch plankton as the current passes by. Gorgonians are a type of soft coral found in subtropical waters.
Location Western Atlantic; Bermuda Range Sunlight zone; 0-200 ft
Vunerable species
17°48'24.7"S 177°08'18.4"E
Sarcophyton Elegans
15
These hardy corals are known as leather corals because of their hard “leathery” body and branches. Leather Corals will sometimes become a surrogate host for clownfish, if there is no anemone available.
size up to 7 in Location
The Yellow Fiji Leather Coral aka the Sarcophyton elegans Coral, originates from the marine waters of Fiji and Tonga. This type of leather coral grows close to the rockwork, and will develop a unique ruffle pattern around the edges, as the elegans grow.
Indonesian–Pacific ; Fiji Range Sunlight zone; 0-25 ft
Not Endangered
32°18'37.8"N 64°51'50.9"W
17
Tube sponges make up one of the most primitive groups of animals on Earth. Sponges have existed for at least 500 million years. Sponge cells do not have specialized tissues. Each of a sponge’s individual cells can transform to complete the job of any other cell in the body.
size up to 6 ft Location Western Atlantic ; Bermuda Range
Apiysina Fistularis, also known as tube sponges are a relatively large sponge. This coral typically has a yellowish color (sometimes almost iridescent yellow-blue at deeper depths) and consists of multiple tube-like structures. Because this species lives mostly on coral reefs, any changes in water temperature may threaten the tube sponge’s survival.
Sunlight zone; 15-100ft
Not Endangered
34°14'12.4"N 129°25'33.4"E
19
Parazoanthus corals have soft bodies covered with a leathery skin, called the cuticle, which gives them protection. The bodies are usually fluted and they have long, thin tentacles.
size up to 3 in Location Indonesian–Pacific; Japan Range Sunlight zone; up 15-100 ft
Yellow Polyps are found in the both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and from both tropical and temperate waters. They will encrust on rocks or various types of dead matter, like old worm tubes; or many will grow on living organisms like gorgonians, or sponges. Parazoanthus are not presumed to be parasitic to their hosts as both are believed to benefit from each other’s company.
Not Endangered
33°51'48.9"N 130°02'51.1"E
21
These corals belong to the Mussidae family. Each head of coral is formed by a colony of genetically identical polyps which secrete a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate; this makes them important coral reef builders like other stony corals.
size up to 10 in Location
Indonesian–Pacific ; Japan
There’s more than one kind of “brain coral”—several species from two different families of corals share the name—but all help build coral reefs. Due to climate change and a steady rise in the temperature of the ocean, Lobophyllia could face a
widespread bleaching epidemic.
Range
Twilight zone; 25-120 ft
Threatened species
33°51'48.9"N 130°02'51.1"E
23
Fire corals are colonial marine organisms that exhibit physical characteristics similar to that of coral. Fire corals are not true corals but are more closely related to Hydra and other hydrozoans, making them hydrocorals.
size up to 12 in Location Indonesian–Pacific ; Japan Range
Fire corals have a bright yellowgreen and brown skeletal covering. They appear in small brush-like growths on rocks and coral. Divers often mistake fire coral for seaweed. Upon contact, an intense pain can be felt that can last up to two weeks. Their sting is very similar to the intensity of jellyfish stings. In addition, fire corals have a sharp, calcified skeleton that can scrape the skin.
Indonesian–Pacific ; Japan
Threatened species
16°33'08.9"N 41°32'02.6"E
25
Montipora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the phylum Cnidaria. Depending on the species and location, Montipora may grow as plates or ridges, appearing as a bowl.
size up to 12 in
Leaf plates expand radially and may encrust over surrounding rocks, shells or debris. Small reef fishes, such as the hawkfish live near Montipora colonies and perch on the ridges of the coral. Environmental destruction has led to a dwindling of populations of Montipora.
Location
Red Sea; Egypt
Range Sunlight Zone; 50-246 ft
Near Threatened
18°20'13.3"N 65°17'28.3"W
27
Elkhorn coral was named after its branching pattern, which in many respects are remnant of an elk’s antlers. These strong and sturdy corals thrive in heavy surf close to shore, where the exposed reef crests create an optimal habitat.
size up to 5ft Location Caribbean Ocean; Puerto Rico Range
Acropora Palmata also know as, elkhorn coral has been one of the most important Caribbean corals contributing to reef growth and development and providing essential fish habitat. Due to storm surges and rising water temperates elkhorn corals are facing a radical decline in population that could effect the stability of the reef.
Sunlight zone; 3-66 ft
Critically endangered
57°00'09.4"N 144°00'03.7"W
29
These stinging polyps spend most of their time attached to rocks on coral reefs waiting for fish to pass close enough to get ensnared in their venom-filled tentacles. Giant green anemones produce a compound that is used as a vertebrate heart stimulant.
size up to 11 in Location
Gulf of Alaska; Alaska
Range
Giant green anemones are found in the Gulf of Alaska down to Panama. These corals are often solitary and exhibit aggressive territorial defense against rival anemones; in some locations, there can be up to 14 green anemones per three square feet. Green anemone’s color is produced by the animal itself, not the algae that it eats.
Sunlight zone; 15-50ft
Not Endangered
Mapping their location
32
33
References http://www.arkive.org/devonshire-cup-coral/caryophyllia-smithii/image-G95979.html http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Acropora_palmata/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/ group/corals/