Spiny Flower Coral
VU

Spiny Flower Coral

Mussa angulosa

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Spiny Flower Coral faces severe pressure from ocean warming and acidification, which cause bleaching events and weaken its calcium carbonate skeleton. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities smother colonies and reduce water quality in its shallow reef habitats. Disease outbreaks, particularly white syndrome and black band disease, have caused significant mortality across Caribbean populations where this species occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

Spiny Flower Coral inhabits shallow coral reefs and rocky substrates in the tropical western Atlantic, typically found at depths of 1-20 meters. It prefers areas with moderate water flow and clear waters, often growing on reef slopes and in lagoons throughout the Caribbean region.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Aruba

EN

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Conus hieroglyphus

Unknown
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Rice's Whale

Balaenoptera ricei

Declining
VU

Arubolana imula

Unknown
mutton snapperVU

mutton snapper

Lutjanus analis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spiny Flower Coral classified as Vulnerable?
Spiny Flower Coral is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Spiny Flower Coral faces severe pressure from ocean warming and acidification, which cause bleaching events and weaken its calcium carbonate skeleton. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities smother colonies and reduce water quality in its shallow reef habitats. Disease outbreaks, particularly white syndrome and black band disease, have caused significant mortality across Caribbean populations where this species occurs.
Where does Spiny Flower Coral live?
Spiny Flower Coral occurs in Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, and Caribbean Netherlands (plus 26 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Spiny Flower Coral?
The main threats to Spiny Flower Coral are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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