Mediterranean orange coral (Astroides calycularis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Astroides calycularis
- Common name
- Mediterranean orange coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Dendrophylliidae
- Genus
- Astroides
- Size
- 5–50 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial, filter-feeder
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Astroides calycularis reaches 50 cm plaques. Hard coral (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae) endemic Mediterranean, one of most iconic endemic species. Forms vivid orange-red plaques covering shallow sunny rocky walls, highly developed orange polyps deployed 24/7 (rare in hard corals, possible because azooxanthellate, without light symbionts). Lives from 0 to 50 m on rocky walls of western Mediterranean (rarer in east). Listed LC but threatened by heat. Iconic wide-angle photo subject of Med dives for spectacular orange walls of Sicily, Sardinia, Spain.
Photo of Mediterranean orange coral
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean orange coral?
- Mediterranean orange coral (Astroides calycularis) reaches 5–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean orange coral?
- Mediterranean orange coral is found between 0–50 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean orange coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean orange coral?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean orange coral?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Dendrophylliidae
- Turbinaria reniformis - Yellow scroll coral
- Tubastraea micranthus - Branching cup coral
- Leptopsammia pruvoti - Yellow solitary coral
- Turbinaria mesenterina - Lesser valley coral
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 135178)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5184544)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia