| Synonyms: | Coscinarea donnani, Coscinarea ostreaeformis, Coscinastrea monile, Madrepora monile |
|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Class | Anthozoa |
| Order | Scleractinia |
| Family | Siderastreidae |
| Genus | Coscinaraea (1) |
Coscinaraea monile is a common species of wrinkle coral that usually forms encrusting or dome-shaped colonies (3). These are often uniformly grey, but can vary between tan, brown and a mottled mixture of these colours (3). As with other colony-forming corals, the colonies of Coscinaraea monile are composed of numerous tiny, soft-bodied, anemone-like animals called polyps. The polyps secrete a hard skeleton known as a ‘corallite’, which over time contributes to the formation of coral reefs (3).
In Coscinaraea monile, the inward projections of the corallite (the ‘septa’) are even and finely serrated and give the colonies of this species a smooth surface (3). Each polyp also bears numerous tentacles that direct food into a central mouth, where it is digested in a sac-like body cavity (3).
A stand-out feature of coral species of the Coscinaraea genus is that they are generally cold tolerant, withstanding temperatures which would have lethal implications for other coral species (4) (5). Like many species of coral, Coscinaraea monile is ‘zooxanthellate’, meaning that the coral has unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae living within its tissues. The relationship between the coral and algae is symbiotic, with the coral receiving nutrients as the algae photosynthesise, and in return giving the algae a safe and stable environment to live in (3).
Although relatively common where it occurs (3), Coscinaraea monile faces many of the threats that are affecting coral reefs globally. An estimated 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have already been destroyed (7) (8) and there is increasing pressure on coastal resources resulting from human population growth and development. Consequently, there has been a significant increase in domestic and agricultural waste in the oceans, poor land-use practices that result in an increase in sediment running onto reefs, and over-fishing, which can have ‘knock-on’ effects on the reef (7).
There are also many localised threats associated with human activity, including the use of dynamite and chemicals when attempting to collect reef fishes. Potentially, the ability of Coscinaraea species to survive colder temperatures may extend their habitat range, therefore reducing some of the pressures faced by these corals (7).
A major threat to corals worldwide is global climate change, with the expected rise in ocean temperatures increasing the risk of coral ‘bleaching’, in which the stressed coral expels its zooxanthellae, often resulting in death. Climate change may also lead to more frequent, severe storms, which can damage reefs, while rising carbon dioxide levels may make the ocean increasingly acidic. Such stresses can also make corals more susceptible to disease, parasites and predators, such as the crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) (1) (7) (8) (9).
In addition to being listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which makes it an offence to trade this species without a permit (2), Coscinaraea monilealso forms part of the reef community in several Marine Protected Areas (1). Recommendations for the future conservation of this species include research into various aspects of its biology, population status, habitat, and the threats to its survival (1).
To find out more about corals and coral conservation, see:
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