Acropora palmata • Earth.com
acropora palmata
12-22-2016

Acropora palmata

Acropora palmata NatureServe Explorer Species Reports — NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports — ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) 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 (2.0 to 3.9 in) per year. They can reproduce both sexually and asexually, though asexual reproduction is much more common and occurs through a process called fragmentation. Although Elkhorn coral dominated the Caribbean in the early 1980s, the species has since dramatically declined in numbers. Scientists have estimated that between 1980 and 2006, when it was listed in the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the population declined by around 97%. This decline was due to a variety of factors, including disease, algae growth, climate change, ocean acidification, and human activity. In May 2006, Elkhorn coral was officially listed as threatened in the ESA along with another species in the Acropora genus, Staghorn coral. Some conservation efforts are now in place to protect the species and promote increased genetic variability among the species.

Detailed information
Full Name: Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)
Where found: Wherever found
Critical Habitat:N/A
Species Group:Corals
Current listing status
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
Threatened 06/08/2006 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Wherever found
  • States/US Territories in which the Elkhorn coral, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: Florida
  • US Counties in which the Elkhorn coral, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: View All
  • Countries in which the the Elkhorn coral, Wherever found is known to occur: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela
Recovery
No recovery information is available for the Elkhorn coral.
Date
Citation Page
Title
Document Type
Status
11/26/2008 73 FR 72210 72240 Critical Habitat for Threatened Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals; Final Rule Final Rule Final designated
Date
Citation Page
Title
Document Type
Status
11/26/2008 73 FR 72210 72240 Critical Habitat for Threatened Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals; Final Rule Final Rule Final designated
News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day