CR

Sunray Lettuce Coral

Helioseris cucullata

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Helioseris cucullata faces severe population decline primarily due to coral bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. The species is particularly vulnerable to mass bleaching events that have devastated Caribbean coral reefs, with recovery hampered by its slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity. Additional pressures from coastal development, pollution runoff, and physical damage from hurricanes and human activities have further reduced viable habitat areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Helioseris cucullata inhabits shallow tropical coral reef environments in the Caribbean, typically found on reef slopes and walls at depths ranging from 3 to 35 meters. This plate coral species prefers areas with moderate to strong water flow and forms distinctive overlapping plate-like structures that provide shelter for various reef organisms.

Marine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sunray Lettuce Coral classified as Critically Endangered?
Sunray Lettuce Coral is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Helioseris cucullata faces severe population decline primarily due to coral bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. The species is particularly vulnerable to mass bleaching events that have devastated Caribbean coral reefs, with recovery hampered by its slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity. Additional pressures from coastal development, pollution runoff, and physical damage from hurricanes and human activities have further reduced viable habitat areas.
Where does Sunray Lettuce Coral live?
Sunray Lettuce Coral occurs in Bahamas, Mexico, and Trinidad & Tobago. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sunray Lettuce Coral?
The main threats to Sunray Lettuce Coral are 11.1, 2.1, 5.4, and 6.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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