Relevance: GS-III Biodiversity
Prelims Take away: Staghorn Coral, White Band Disease.
Why In News:
The results of the genome-wide survey of highly endangered staghorn coral in the Caribbean are of great significance for coral conservation efforts. Staghorn corals, including Acropora cervicornis, have been severely affected by white band disease, which has led to the decline of these important reef-building species in the Caribbean.
Staghorn coral:
- Most important corals in the Caribbean. It, along with elkhorn coral and star corals built Caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years.
- Staghorn coral can form dense groups called “thickets” in very shallow water. These provide important habitat for other reef animals, especially fish
Appearance
- Staghorn coral colonies are golden tan or pale brown with white tips and they get their color from the algae that live within their tissue.
- These corals have antler-like branches and typically stem out from a central trunk and angle upward.
- Each staghorn coral colony is made up of many individual polyps that grow together.
- These coral get food from photosynthetic algae that live inside the coral's cells.
- They also feed by capturing plankton with their polyps’ tentacles.
Distribution:
- It is found typically in clear, shallow water (15–60 feet) on coral reefs throughout the Bahamas, Florida, and the Caribbean.
- The northern extent of the range in the Atlantic Ocean is Palm Beach County, Florida, where it is relatively rare.
- They live in many coral reef habitats including spur and groove, bank reef, patch reef, and transitional reef habitats, as well as on limestone ridges, terraces, and hard bottom habitats.
Threats
- Climate change
- Diseases: It is particularly susceptible to white band and white plague
- Unsustainable Fishing Pressure
What is White band disease?
- It is a common tissue loss disease.
- Studies suggest that white band disease is caused by a communicable agent, however, a specific pathogen has not yet been definitively identified