Thin birdsnest coral (Seriatopora hystrix)

Description

Thin birdsnest coral fact file

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

Thin birdsnest coral description

It was one of these pretty coral species that was first observed undertaking a unique method of reproduction ⁽³⁾. Colonies of Seriatopora generally form compact bushes with thin branches ⁽⁴⁾, although different species vary in their appearance depending on the water depth and wave action. In shallow water with strong wave action the branches are shorter and thicker than colonies that are situated in deep or turbid water ⁽³⁾. Colonies of Seriatopora may be brown, pink, yellow or cream in colour ⁽⁵⁾, and the many polyps which comprise a colony are only extended at night ⁽³⁾.

Also known as

brush coral, Needle coral.

Thin birdsnest coral biology

Seriatopora are abundant reef-building, or hermatypic, corals and harbour symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) within their tissues. Zooxanthellae provide the coral with nutrients, obtained via photosynthesis ⁽⁵⁾. One of the most curious methods of asexual reproduction in corals was discovered in a Seriatopora coral when polyps were observed detaching themselves from a dying colony. The skeleton-less polyps were then able to form new colonies by normal budding. This phenomenon, termed ‘polyp bail-out’, is a unique escape response to environmental stress, and may also be considered a form of asexual reproduction ⁽⁶⁾. Seriatopora corals can also reproduce asexually by fragmentation, and sexually by brooding, in which larvae develops inside the polyps, and mature larvae is then released into the water column where it will disperse, eventually settling on the substrate and establishing a new colony ⁽⁵⁾.

Parts of Seriatopora colonies sometimes show remarkable modifications caused by other organisms, most notably the gall-forming crab Haplocarcinus marsupialis. Female crabs of this species influence the growing tips of coral to form a ‘gall’ which is effectively a cage that permanently encloses the crab, (like a pair of cupped hands). Male crabs, which are much smaller than females, are able to enter the coral cage to mate. The female spends her whole life in this self-imposed captivity producing broods of larvae inside the protective walls of her cage ⁽³⁾.

Thin birdsnest coral range

Occurs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Mozambique, up to the Red Sea, to southern Japan, Australia and the Fiji Islands ⁽⁴⁾.

See this species on Google Earth.

Thin birdsnest coral habitat

Seriatopora coral species can occur in protected reef environments or shallow reef environments ⁽⁴⁾.

Thin birdsnest coral status

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾ and listed on Appendix II of CITES ⁽²⁾.

Thin birdsnest coral threats

Seriatopora corals face the many threats that are impacting coral reefs globally. It is estimated that 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have already been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery, and 24 percent of the world’s reefs are under imminent risk of collapse due to human pressures. These human impacts include poor land management practices that are releasing more sediment, nutrients and pollutants into the oceans and stressing the fragile reef ecosystem. Over fishing has ‘knock-on’ effects that results in the increase of macro-algae that can out-compete and smother corals, and fishing using destructive methods physically devastates the reef. A further potential threat is the increase of coral bleaching events, as a result of global climate change ⁽⁷⁾. Seriatopora may also be threatened by over-harvesting for use in aquariums, or as ornaments and jewellery. The potential impact of coral harvesting is illustrated by a study which focused on a heavily harvested site off Cebu in the Philippines. A demand for large, mature coral colonies for the ornamental trade resulted in a reduction in coral density and coral cover at the site, and Seriatopora, which was common in the region, was completely absent from the harvested site ⁽⁸⁾.

Thin birdsnest coral conservation

Seriatopora corals are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that trade in this species should be carefully regulated ⁽²⁾. Seriatopora corals will form part of the marine community in many marine protected areas (MPAs), which offer coral reefs a degree of protection, and there are many calls from non-governmental organisations for larger MPAs to ensure the persistence of these unique and fascinating ecosystems ⁽⁷⁾.

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

Find out more

For further information on this species see Veron, J.E.N. (2000) Corals of the World Vol. 2. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.

For further information on the conservation of coral reefs see:

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

Authentication

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Glossary

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction that does not involve the formation of sex cells, such as sperm and eggs. Asexual reproduction only involves one parent, and all the offspring produced by asexual reproduction are identical to one another.

Budding

Type of asexual reproduction in which new individuals develop from the parent organism, forming a swelling similar in appearance to a bud. The ‘bud’ slowly separates from the parent as it grows.

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.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction where a new organism grows from a fragment of the parent. Each fragment develops into a mature, fully grown individual.

Larvae

Relating to corals: the stages of development before settlement on the reef. 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.

Polyp

Typically sedentary soft-bodied component of Cnidaria (corals, sea pens etc), 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

Describing a close relationship between two organisms. This term usually refers to a relationship that benefits both organisms.

References

1. IUCN Red List (October, 2009)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. CITES (October, 2009)
   http://www.cites.org
3. Veron, J.E.N. (1986) Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Angus & Robertson Publishers, London, UK.
4. Veron, J.E.N. (2000) Corals of the World. Vol. 2. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.
5. Borneman, E.H. (2001) Aquarium corals; Selection, Husbandry and Natural History. T.F.H. Publications, New Jersey, USA.
6. Sammarco, P.W. (1982) Polyp bail-out: an escape response to environmental stress and a new means of reproduction in corals. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 10: 57 - 65.
7. Wilkinson, C. (2004) Status of Coral Reefs of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.
8. Ross, M.A. (1984) A quantitative study of the stony coral fishery in Cebu, Philippines. Marine Ecology, 5: 75 - 91.