cauliflower coral
Pocillopora inflata
Pocillopora inflata is a species of stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It was first described by Peter William Glynn in 1999.
4
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Rebecca Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Rebecca Johnson
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Anthozoa
Order
Scleractinia
Family
Pocilloporidae
Genus
Pocillopora
cauliflower coral belongs to the family Pocilloporidae, order Scleractinia, within the Anthozoa class.
Species Profile
Pocillopora inflata is a species of stony coral in the family Pocilloporidae. It was first described by Peter William Glynn in 1999. It is found growing on coral reefs in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean but is nowhere abundant.
Pocillopora inflata faces significant threats from climate change-induced ocean warming and acidification, which cause coral bleaching and reduce calcification rates. Coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices further degrade reef ecosystems where this species occurs, while rising sea levels and increased storm intensity associated with climate change pose additional stresses to coral communities.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow tropical coral reef environments in the Indo-Pacific region, typically found in reef flats, lagoons, and protected reef slopes at depths ranging from intertidal zones to approximately 20 meters. This species prefers areas with moderate water flow and clear, warm waters with stable salinity levels.
Threats
Coastal development and sedimentation
Ocean acidification
Ocean warming and coral bleaching
Destructive fishing practices
Water pollution and nutrient runoff
Found in 4 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). cauliflower coral (Pocillopora inflata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cauliflower-coral-2259466