Porites duerdeni
CR

Porites duerdeni

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thick_finger_coral

Overview

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

Porites duerdeni faces severe decline from ocean warming and acidification, which cause coral bleaching and reduce the species' ability to build its calcium carbonate skeleton. Rising sea temperatures have triggered widespread bleaching events across its Pacific range, while increased atmospheric CO2 absorption by seawater creates acidic conditions that dissolve coral structures. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities further degrade the clear, shallow reef environments this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Porites duerdeni inhabits shallow coral reef environments in the tropical Pacific, typically found in clear waters at depths of 1-20 meters. The species forms colonies on reef flats and slopes where it requires stable substrate and moderate water flow for optimal growth.

Marine coastal/supratidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in PORITIDAE

CR

Saffron Coral

Porites sverdrupi

Declining
EN

Hump Coral

Porites attenuata

Declining
EN

Goniopora tantillus

Declining
EN

Porites heronensis

Declining

Threatened in United States

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
VU

Actinopyga miliaris

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Porites duerdeni classified as Critically Endangered?
Porites duerdeni 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. Porites duerdeni faces severe decline from ocean warming and acidification, which cause coral bleaching and reduce the species' ability to build its calcium carbonate skeleton. Rising sea temperatures have triggered widespread bleaching events across its Pacific range, while increased atmospheric CO2 absorption by seawater creates acidic conditions that dissolve coral structures. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities further degrade the clear, shallow reef environments this species requires.
Where does Porites duerdeni live?
Porites duerdeni occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Porites duerdeni?
The main threats to Porites duerdeni 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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