Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)

Description

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Pillar coral fact file

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

Pillar coral description

The beautiful pillar coral obtains its common name from the tall, pillar-like spires that grow upwards from a broad base ^{(2) (3)}. These tall pillars, reaching up to three metres in height ⁽²⁾, often have a bristly appearance when the drab, olive-coloured polyps are open during the daytime ^{(2) (4)}.

Size

Height: up to 3 m ⁽²⁾

Pillar coral biology

Dendrogyra cylindrus has a special symbiotic relationship with algae, called zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae live inside the tissues of the coral and provide the coral with as much as 90 percent of its energy requirements, which it produces through photosynthesis. In return, the coral provides the zooaxanthellae with protection, shelter and a constant supply of the carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis ^{(5) (8)}.

The slow-growing Dendrogyra cylindrus reproduces in two ways, both sexually and by fragmentation ^{(6) (7)}. In fragmentation, when pillar colonies are toppled by storms or simply fall over, new pillar columns will start growing from along the length of the horizontal fallen pillar ⁽⁷⁾. When reproducing sexually, the coral releases sperm and eggs into the water, where fertilisation takes place, and the resultant larvae may be transported for great distances before settling on the substrate ⁽⁸⁾. Unlike many other corals which are hermaphroditic, the sexes are separate in the pillar coral, meaning that there are both male individuals (which release sperm) and female individuals (which produce eggs) ⁽⁷⁾. 

Pillar coral range

Dendrogyra cylindrus is found in the West Atlantic, mainly around the Caribbean islands, although it also grows in the southern Gulf of Mexico and around the coast of Florida and the Bahamas ⁽¹⁾.

Pillar coral habitat

Dendrogyra cylindrus is a marine species, which grows on flat or gently sloping reefs. It can occur at depths between 1 and 25 metres, although is most commonly found at depths between 5 and 15 metres ⁽¹⁾.

Pillar coral status

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Pillar coral threats

Global climate change is a potentially devastating threat to all coral species, causing an increase in ocean temperatures, rising acidity levels, and more severe storms. These changes result in coral bleaching, in which the zooxanthellae are expelled, leaving the coral weak and vulnerable to an increasing variety of harmful diseases ⁽¹⁾. One disease that specifically affects the uncommon Dendrogyra cylindrus is white plague, which is caused by the bacterium Aurantimonas coralicida and results in partial mortality of individual colonies ^{(1) (8)}.

Unfortunately, this species has a low rate of juvenile survivorship, meaning that it is slow to recover from disturbances, such as fisheries, human development, pollution, and invasive species, placing its future survival at even greater risk ⁽¹⁾.

Pillar coral conservation

Dendrogyra cylindrus occurs within a number of Marine Protected Areas, such as Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ⁽¹⁾, which will hopefully provide some protection from human-caused disturbances. In addition, like all corals, it is illegal to harvest this species for commercial purposes in USA waters ⁽¹⁾.

In order to ensure the long term survival of Dendrogyra cylindrus, it is important to understand more about it. Research into its population status, ecology and habitat, as well as its threats and resilience to threats, are all important factors which need to be taken into consideration when planning conservation efforts for this species ⁽¹⁾.

Find out more

To learn about efforts to conserve Dendrogyra cylindrus see:

• EDGE of Existence:
  http://www.edgeofexistence.org/coral_reef/species_info.php?id=1838

For further information on the conservation of coral reefs see:

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

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Algae

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

Colonies

Relating to corals: corals composed of numerous genetically identical individuals (also referred to as zooids or polyps), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.

Fertilisation

The fusion of gametes (male and female reproductive cells) to produce an embryo, which grows into a new individual.

Hermaphroditic

Possessing both male and female sex organs.

Larvae

Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.

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.

Polyps

Typically sedentary soft-bodied component of Cnidaria (such as corals and sea pens), which comprise of a trunk that is fixed at the base; the mouth is placed at the opposite end of the trunk, and is surrounded by tentacles.

Symbiotic

Describes a relationship in which two organisms form a close association. The term is now usually used only for associations that benefit both organisms (a mutualism).

References

1. IUCN Red List (May, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Kaplan, E.H. (1982) A Field Guide to Coral Reefs of the Caribbean and Florida. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York.
3. Erhardt, H. and Moosleitner, H. (1997) Marine Atlas. Volume 2. Mergus, Melle, Germany.
4. Coralpedia (February, 2100)
   http://coralpedia.bio.warwick.ac.uk/en/corals/dendrogyra_cylindrus.html
5. Wilkerson, F.P., Kobayashi, D. and Muscatine, L. (1988) Mitotic index and size of symbiotic algae in Caribbean reef corals. Coral Reefs, 7(1): 29-36.
6. Garoutte, C. (1995) Diving Bay Islands. Aqua Quest Publications, New York.
7. Scott, C. (2004) Endangered and Threatened Animals of Florida and their Habitats. University of Texas Press. Austin, Texas.
8. Veron, J.E.N. (2000) Corals of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.  
9. Reef Ball Foundation (March, 2010)
   http://www.artificialreefs.org/Corals/diseasesfiles/Common%20Identified%20Coral%20Diseases.htm#White%20Plague