Cladocora caespitosa

Cladocora caespitosa
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Subphylum:	Anthozoa
Class:	Hexacorallia
Order:	Scleractinia
Family:	incertae sedis
Genus:	Cladocora
Species:	C. caespitosa
Binomial name
Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Madrepora caespitosaLinnaeus, 1767

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.

The species has been observed to demonstrate rejuvenescence, a unique survival strategy that enables the species to recover after warming events. ^[3]

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. It was believed to be the only true coral reef in the Mediterranean. ^[4] Recent findings in the Adriatic Sea show that Cladocora caespitosa is not the only reef-building species of the Mediterranean Sea. ^[5] An extensive corallith bed of C. caespitosa has been found in the Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area. ^[6]

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]

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 . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. "Cladocora caespitosa". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 30 Oct 2014.
3. Kersting, Diego K.; Linares, Cristina (2019-10-04). "Living evidence of a fossil survival strategy raises hope for warming-affected corals". Science Advances. 5 (10). American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax2950. ISSN   2375-2548. PMC   6785258 .
4. 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.
5. Corriero, Giuseppe; Cataldo, Pierri (2019). "A Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef built by non-symbiotic scleractinians". Scientific Reports. 9 (3601): 18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40284-4 . PMC   6401148 .
6. Chimienti, Giovanni; Tursi, Andrea; Logrieco, Alessia; Notarangelo, Silvia; Mastrototaro, Francesco (2025-05-14). "Corallith bed of the endangered coral Cladocora caespitosa in the South Adriatic Sea". Scientific Reports. 15 (1): 16690. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-01554-6. ISSN   2045-2322. PMC   12078607 .

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.
• Corriero, Giuseppe; Cataldo, Pierri (2019). "A Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef built by non-symbiotic scleractinians". Scientific Reports. 9 (3601): 18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40284-4 . PMC   6401148 .

External links

• Photos of Cladocora caespitosa on Sealife Collection