Lobed Star Coral
Orbicella annularis
Protection Status
Quick Facts
About the Species
The lobed star coral is a species of coral that lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is the most thoroughly studied and most abundant species of reef-building coral in the Caribbean to date. It grows into varying colony shapes (heads, columns, plates) in response to differing light conditions. Lobed star coral is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting lobed star coral. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.
Where They Live
Lobed star coral can be found in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and southern Atlantic (southern Florida).
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Cnidaria | Class | Anthozoa | Order | Scleractinia | Family | Merulinidae | Genus | Orbicella | Species | annularis |
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Management Overview
Lobed star coral is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Recovery Planning and Implementation
The Recovery Outline for Pillar Coral, Rough Cactus Coral, Lobed Star Coral, Mountainous Star Coral, Boulder Star Coral (PDF, 6 pages) is meant to serve as an interim guidance document to direct recovery efforts, including recovery planning, for pillar coral, rough cactus coral, lobed star coral, mountainous star coral, and boulder star coral.
Species Recovery Contacts
- Jennifer Moore, Southeast Corals Recovery Coordinator
- Alison Moulding, Southeast Corals Recovery Coordinator
Critical Habitat Designation
Once a species is listed under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries evaluates and identifies whether any areas meet the definition of critical habitat. Those areas may be designated as critical habitat through a rule making process. The designation of an area as critical habitat does not create a closed area, marine protected area, refuge, wilderness reserve, preservation, or other conservation area; nor does the designation affect land ownership. Federal agencies that undertake, fund, or permit activities that may affect these designated critical habitat areas are required to consult with NOAA Fisheries to ensure that their actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.
We designated critical habitat for five threatened Caribbean coral species, including the lobed star coral. Twenty-eight mostly overlapping specific occupied areas containing physical features essential to the conservation of these coral species were designated as critical habitat. These areas contain approximately 16,830 square kilometers (6,500 square miles) of marine habitat.
Key Actions and Documents
More Information
Documents
Caribbean Corals 5-Year Review
NOAA Fisheries has published a 5-year review of staghorn coral, elkhorn coral, pillar coral, rough…
5 Caribbean Coral Species Recovery Outline
This document serves as an interim guidance document to direct recovery efforts for pillar coral,…