Cladocora caespitosa

Cladocora caespitosa, commonly known as cushion coral, is a stony coral of the subclass Hexacorallia.[2] This species forms the only true coral reef in the Mediterranean Sea.

Cladocora caespitosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Scleractinia
Family: incertae sedis
Genus: Cladocora
Species:
C. caespitosa
Binomial name
Cladocora caespitosa
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
  • Madrepora caespitosa Linnaeus, 1767

Description
Close-up showing corallites

The polyps are a clear maroon colour, around 5 mm in diameter and form cushion-shaped colonies, in symbiosis with Zooxanthella algae. They produce deposits of calcium carbonate which form the calciate structures in which they live. It is the largest stony coral in the Mediterranean, reaching up to 50 cm in diameter. C. caespitosa has an average generation length of about 30 years.[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where it is attested already in the Upper Pliocene. It is common on rocky seabeds between a few metres and 60 metres in depth. In the marine lagoon of Veliko Jezero, in the marine reserve of Mljet island, Croatia, there is a small coral reef made up of C. caespitosa. This is the only true coral reef in the Mediterranean.[3]

Fossil colony of Cladocora caespitosa from Acquafredda, Maratea, Potenza. Upper Pleistocene. The "bushy" form of the colony (left image), the external structure and the internal structure of the individuals (right images) are visible.

Reproduction

The colonies grow through budding, but the species spreads through the settlement of plankton-like larva on seabed suited to colonisation.

Threats

Cladocora caespitosa is classified as endangered under the IUCN red list, mostly based on recent mass die-offs caused by heat wave events in the Mediterranean.[1]

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References
  1. Casado de Amezua, P.; Kersting, D.; Linares, C.L.; Bo, M.; Caroselli, E.; Garrabou, J.; Cerrano, C.; Ozalp, B.; Terrón-Sigler, A. & Betti, F. (2015). "Cladocora caespitosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T133142A75872554. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T133142A75872554.en.
  2. "Cladocora caespitosa". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 30 Oct 2014.
  3. Kružić, Petar; Požar-Domac, Antonieta (2003). "Banks of the coral Cladocora caespitosa (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in the Adriatic Sea". Coral Reefs. 22 (4): 536. doi:10.1007/s00338-003-0345-y.

Bibliography
  • Trainito, Egidio (2004). Atlante di flora e fauna del Mediterraneo (2004 ed.). Milano: Il Castello. ISBN 978-88-8039-395-5.
  • Mojetta A.; Ghisotti A (2003). Flora e Fauna del Mediterraneo. Mondadori. ISBN 978-88-04-38574-5.
  • Kružić, Petar; Požar-Domac, Antonieta (2003). "Banks of the coral Cladocora caespitosa (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in the Adriatic Sea". Coral Reefs. 22 (4): 536. doi:10.1007/s00338-003-0345-y.
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