Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acropora palmata
- Common name
- Elkhorn coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Acroporidae
- Genus
- Acropora
- Size
- 50–400 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Critically endangered (CR)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Acropora palmata reaches 4 m across. Large Caribbean coral with flat wide branches resembling elk antlers (hence elkhorn). Ocher to yellow-brown color. Main builder of shallow Caribbean reef crests down to 30 m. Catastrophic 95% collapse since the 1980s from white-band disease, bleaching and hurricanes. IUCN Critically Endangered. Restoration programs in Florida, Belize, French Caribbean.
Photo of Elkhorn coral
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Elkhorn coral?
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) reaches 50–400 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Elkhorn coral?
- Elkhorn coral is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Elkhorn coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Elkhorn coral?
- IUCN status: Critically endangered (CR).
- Where can you find the Elkhorn coral?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Acropora
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 288227)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5184657)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia