Boulder star coral (Orbicella annularis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Orbicella annularis
- Common name
- Boulder star coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Merulinidae
- Genus
- Orbicella
- Size
- 50–300 cm
- Depth
- 1–20 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Orbicella annularis (formerly Montastraea annularis) forms column or boulder colonies, once the dominant coral on shallow Caribbean reefs. Small star-shaped polyps, colors brown, green, mustard. Catastrophic decline since the 1990s from diseases (white-band, white-plague), bleaching, pollution. IUCN Endangered. Observed colonies can be several centuries old. Priority target of coral restoration programs.
Photo of Boulder star coral
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Boulder star coral?
- Boulder star coral (Orbicella annularis) reaches 50–300 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Boulder star coral?
- Boulder star coral is found between 1–20 m deep.
- Is the Boulder star coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Boulder star coral?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Boulder star coral?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Merulinidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 758260)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 7617481)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia