Hard coral (Favites complanata)

Description

Hard coral fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Hard coral description

A widespread but relatively uncommon reef-building species, Favites complanata forms what are known as ‘massive’ colonies, growing in characteristic mound or dome shapes. A colony is composed of numerous individual polyps, which are fleshy and anemone-like when extended. The polyps secrete a hard skeleton called a ‘corallite’, which has thick and slightly angular walls, often varying in shape and colour. Favites complanata is normally brown, although the soft tissue that forms the oral disc between the mouth and the surrounding tentacles is sometimes grey, or green ⁽³⁾.

Synonyms

Favia complanata, Favites hemprichii, Manicina hemprichii, Mussa hemprichii.

Hard coral biology

Favites complanata can reproduce asexually, forming colonies by a process called ‘budding’, (where each polyp divides itself into two or more daughter polyps). It is also a hermaphrodite, able to reproduce sexually, producing eggs and sperm that are released into the water during a spawning period ^{(3) (5)}.

Like other reef-building corals, Favites complanata has many microscopic, photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae, living within the polyp tissues. The coral and the algae have a mutually beneficial relationship; the coral provides protection for the algae, which in return provide energy and nutrients through photosynthesis. Both Favites complanata and its zooxanthellae are very sensitive to changes in water temperature and acidity, and any increase in the water temperature greater than one or two degrees above the normal average can stress the coral and cause ‘bleaching’, a phenomenon in which the coral expels it zooxanthellae and turns white ^{(3) (4)}. Studies of Favites complanata have shown that in this species, bleaching occurs when water temperatures become greater than 30 degrees Celsius ⁽⁶⁾.

Hard coral range

Favites complanata is found throughout the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Gulf, the East China Sea and the West and Central Pacific Oceans ^{(1) (3)}.

Hard coral habitat

Occurring in shallow-water reef environments, Favites complanata is found down to depths of 30 metres on rocky reefs, reef flats and fringing reefs, as well as in lagoons and on reef slopes ^{(1) (3) (4)}.

Hard coral status

Favites complanata is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾ and listed on Appendix II of CITES ⁽²⁾.

Hard coral threats

The proportion of corals threatened with extinction has increased dramatically in recent decades, with current estimates suggesting that a third of all coral species have an ‘elevated risk’ of extinction ⁽⁷⁾. Detailed studies have found that around 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have already been destroyed, while at least 24 percent of remaining reefs face a high risk of collapse ⁽⁸⁾.

Threats to Favites complanata include damage caused by fisheries, pollution from agriculture and industry, human developments, recreation and tourism. Favites complanata is also targeted for the aquarium trade. Corals are particularly affected by the changing global climate, with rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification and mass coral bleaching events all contributing to significant declines in corals. In addition, these varying conditions have greatly increased the susceptibility of corals to disease, a factor which has recently emerged as a major cause of reef deterioration ^{(1) (7) (8)}.

Hard coral conservation

Favites complanata is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that all trade in the species should be carefully monitored. It is also known from several Marine Protected Areas. The identification and establishment of new protected areas may prove crucial for the conservation of Favites complanata and many other corals, while further research into disease, pathogen and parasite management in corals is also needed. Further research into aspects of Favites complanata’s ecology, abundance, population trends, habitat status and taxonomy is required in order to find out more about how the species is likely to respond to the increasing number of threats throughout its range ⁽¹⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Find out more

For further information on the conservation of coral reefs see:

• Reef Check:
  http://www.reefcheck.org
• The Coral Reef Alliance:
  http://www.coralreefalliance.org

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Glossary

Algae

Simple plants that lack roots, stems and leaves but contain the green pigment chlorophyll. Most occur in marine and freshwater habitats.

Colonies

A group of organisms living together. Individuals in the group are not physiologically connected and may not be related, such as a colony of birds. Another meaning refers to organisms, such as bryozoans, which are composed of numerous genetically identical modules (also referred to as zooids or ‘individuals’), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.

Fringing reef

A coral reef that forms close to the shoreline.

Hermaphrodite

Possessing both male and female sex organs.

Photosynthesis

Metabolic process characteristic of plants in which carbon dioxide is broken down, using energy from sunlight absorbed by the green pigment chlorophyll. Organic compounds are made and oxygen is given off as a by-product.

Photosynthetic

Capable of photosynthesis, a metabolic process characteristic of plants in which carbon dioxide is broken down, using energy from sunlight absorbed by the green pigment chlorophyll. Organic compounds are made and oxygen is given off as a by-product.

Polyp

Typically sedentary soft-bodied component of cnidaria, a group of simple aquatic animals including the sea anemones, corals and jellyfish. A polyp comprises a trunk that is fixed at the base, and a mouth that is placed at the opposite end of the trunk and is surrounded by tentacles.

Spawning

The production or depositing of eggs in water.

References

1. IUCN Red List (September, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. CITES (September, 2010)
   http://www.cites.org/
3. Veron, J.E.N. (2000) Corals of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.
4. Veron, J.E.N. (1993) Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.
5. Richmond, R.H. and Hunter, C.L. (1990) Reproduction and recruitment of corals: comparisons among the Caribbean, the Tropical Pacific and the Red Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 60: 185-203.
6. Strychar, K.B., Coates, M. and Sammarco, P.W. (2004) Loss of Symbiodinium from bleached Australian scleractinian corals (Acropora hyacinthus, Favites complanata and Porites solida). Marine and Freshwater Research, 55: 135-144.
7. Carpenter, K.E. et al. (2008) One-third of reef-building corals face elevated extinction risk from climate change and local impacts. Science, 321(5888): 560-563.
8. Miththapala, S. (2008) Coral Reefs. Coastal Ecosystem Series (Volume 1). Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group Asia, IUCN, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Available at:
   http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2008-012.pdf