Diverse Coral Reef - National Parks Gallery

There are now seven species of corals, found in the Caribbean, listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened.

NOAA listed 20 new corals as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, in August 2014 bringing the total of listed corals to 22.

Corals are critical to the health of the marine ecosystems, provide protection for coastal communities, and habitats for a multitude of other species.

Acropora palmata - Elkhorn coral
Acropora cervicornis - Staghorn coral
Dendrogyra cylindrus - Pillar coral
Mycetophyllia ferox - Rough cactus coral
Orbicella annularis - Lobed star coral
Orbicella faveolata - Mountainous star coral
Orbicella franksi - Boulder star coral

Threats to corals include: ocean warming, ocean acidification, dredging, coastal development, pollution, disease, reef fishing, damage from boats and anchors, marine debris and aquatic invasive species(NPS.GOV)