Fused Staghorn Coral

Acropora prolifera

Fused Staghorn Coral, known scientifically as Acropora prolifera, is a branching, colonial coral found in the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas, and southern Florida. This coral is a hybrid of two other species, Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, and shares similarities with both. It typically forms smaller, denser clumps compared to staghorn coral and has branches that are mostly horizontal, often dividing near the tips and sometimes fusing with other branches. The coral is characterized by its pale yellowish-brown color with paler tips, and its branches can grow up to 2 cm in diameter, with colonies reaching up to 1.2 meters across. Acropora prolifera inhabits outer reef slopes, calm-water bays, and sheltered areas behind land masses, typically at depths of around 7 meters but occasionally down to 30 meters. It is an uncommon species within its range, which includes the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and areas from the Bahamas to Venezuela. This coral is zooxanthellate, housing photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide it with oxygen and organic compounds in exchange for carbon dioxide and waste products. The reproduction of Acropora prolifera involves mass spawning events, where gametes are released into the water. As a hybrid, it can reproduce asexually to increase its numbers, with offspring forms varying depending on the parent species. Divers encountering this coral can expect to see its unique branching structure and coloration, often in the company of other reef-associated species.