Once one of the most abundant Caribbean reef-builders, elkhorn coral has declined 95% since the 1980s. Its branching structure provides critical habitat for countless reef fish — losing it cascades through whole reef ecosystems.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Elkhorn coral is an important reef-building coral in the Caribbean. The species has a complex structure with many branches which resemble that of elk antlers; hence, the common name. The branching structure creates habitat and shelter for many other reef species. Elkhorn coral is known to grow quickly with an average growth rate of 5 to 10 cm per year. They can reproduce both sexually and asexually, though asexual reproduction is much more common and occurs through a process called fragmentation.
Source: Wikipedia — Elkhorn coral Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Branching coral with broad "elk-horn" shaped branches.
Similar species. Other Acropora species. Staghorn Coral (smaller branches).
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Filter-feeds plankton; photosynthesis through symbiotic algae.
Behavior. Forms branching reef structures. Critically endangered.
§ Range
Caribbean, Bahamas, southern Florida
§ Habitat
Shallow tropical reefs (less than 20 feet)
§ Threats
Climate-driven mass bleaching, white-band disease, ocean acidification, hurricane damage on weakened colonies.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the elkhorn coral is currently classified as Critically Endangered.
§ What helps
Choose reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone or octinoxate). Reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Donate to reef restoration (Coral Restoration Foundation).
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Elkhorn coral
- www.fisheries.noaa.gov — authoritative profile of Acropora palmata
- IUCN Red List · taxon 133006
- iNaturalist · taxon 49855
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Acropora palmata
§ Sources cited
- NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
- USFWS
- The Nature Conservancy
- IUCN Red List 2008
