Angelshark

Squatina squatina

The Angelshark is an ambush predator, relying on camouflage to surprise its prey.

Pig-nosed Turtle

Carettochelys insculpta

The pig-nosed turtle is prehistoric. This turtle diverged from all other species more than 140 million years ago.

Chinese Giant Salamander

Andrias davidianus

The largest amphibian in the world, this salamander can grow to the size of an adult human.

Pillar Coral

Dendrogyra cylindrus

Pillar coral possesses one of the most distinct morphologies of any coral.

Pygmy Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus pygmaeus

The smallest of the all the sloth species, the pygmy sloth was only described in 2001

Philippine Eagle

Pithecophaga jefferyi

The Philippine Eagle is one of the world’s largest, most powerful birds of prey.

TOP EDGE Corals

More about Corals

Siderastrea glynni

Siderastrea glynni*

Ranked the number 1 EDGE Coral, Siderastrea glynni is the only member of its genus found in the Eastern Pacific and is endemic to a tiny area off the Panamanian coast. This species is currently under revision as it is thought to be a junior synonym of Siderastrea siderea 

Conservation Attention

Good

Poritipora paliformis

Poritipora paliformis

Poritipora paliformis is the only species within its genus. This makes it an incredibly distinct coral with a unique evolutionary history and few close relatives.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Moseleya latistellata

Moseleya latistellata

Moseleya latistellata has a unique appearance with colonies tending to consist of few but large corallites which appear similar to warped or melting discs.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Porites pukoensis

Porites pukoensis

With just 50 colonies estimated to exist off the coast of Molokai Island in Hawaii, the Critically Endangered Porites pukoensis is one of the rarest EDGE corals.

Conservation Attention

Low

Alveopora excelsa

Alveopora excelsa

Due to its attractive appearance Alveopora excelsa is often targeted for the aquarium trade across South East Asia.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Cladocora caespitosa

Cladocora caespitosa

Unlike other EDGE Coral species, C.caespitosa is relatively well documented as it is widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea and can be locally abundant.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Alveopora minuta

Alveopora minuta

Within the genus Alveopora, there are 12 species, most of which, like A. minuta, are poorly documented in terms of their biology and ecology.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Stylocoeniella cocosensis

Stylocoeniella cocosensis

Stylocoeniella cocosensis is a widespread but rare coral with a preference for shallow waters and rocky overhangs.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Boulder Star Coral

Orbicella annularis

Previously known as Montastrea annularis, Orbicella annularis is one of the most dominant species across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico where it can form extremely large colonies which vary in morphology.

Conservation Attention

Low

Mountainous Star Coral

Orbicella faveolata

Subject to a recent name change (previously known as Montastrea faveolata), Orbicella faveolata was distinguished from Orbicella annularis in 1994.

 

Conservation Attention

Low

Stylophora madagascarensis

Stylophora madagascarensis

S.madagascarensis is a small branching coral only found off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean where it is relatively common.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Montastrea salebrosa

Montastrea salebrosa

Montastrea salebrosa is rare across its range due to a relatively shallow depth limit of 20m.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Parasimplastrea sheppardi

Parasimplastrea sheppardi

Parasimplastrea sheppardi is the only member of its genus.

Conservation Attention

Low

Turbinaria mesenterina

Turbinaria mesenterina

Turbinaria mesenterina is an enchanting and intricate scleractinian coral species whose colonies vary from brown to bright green in colour. The colonies form swirling layers of plates which interlock and fuse giving the appearance of a stone rose.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Lobophyllia serratus

Lobophyllia serratus

Despite being endangered, the attractive morphology of Lobophyllia serratus results in it being continually targeted for the aquarium trade.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Turbinaria peltata

Turbinaria peltata

Turbinaria peltata is an attractive and often colourful coral species that is heavily harvested for the aquarium trade.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Turbinaria heronensis

Turbinaria heronensis

Turbinaria heronensis is a rare but relatively widespread species with a conspicuous appearance. Colonies possess irregularly shaped plates that can be described as foliose due to their leafy appearance.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Elegance coral

Catalaphyllia jardinei

Commonly known as Elegance Coral, Catalaphyllia jardinei is a beautiful and evolutionary distinct species that can be found living as a lone polyp or within a colony.

Conservation Attention

Good

Turbinaria reniformis

Turbinaria reniformis

Turbinaria reniformis is a key reef building coral, providing habitat for other reef inhabitants.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Turbinaria patula

Turbinaria patula

Turbinaria patula is an evolutionarily distinct colonial species composed of plate like colony branches and tubular corallites which extend characteristically towards colony edges.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Turbinaria bifrons

Turbinaria bifrons

Turbinaria bifrons is a reef building coral whose colonies are formed of numerous, folded plates.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Horastrea indica

Horastrea indica

Horastrea indica is a massive colonial coral species that is only found in the Western Indian Ocean on tropical reef systems off the coasts of countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Blister coral, Horastrea indica is a massive colonial coral species that is only found in the Western Indian Ocean on tropical reef systems off the coasts of countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar. Blister coral, Horastrea indica is a massive colonial coral species that is only found in the Western Indian Ocean on tropical reef systems off the coasts of countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar.

Ctenella chagius

Ctenella chagius

Ctenella chagius is a member of the small Meandrinidae family and is found exclusively in the Chagos Archipelago, Mauritius and La Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

Conservation Attention

Good

Turbinaria stellulata

Turbinaria stellulata

Turbinaria stellulata is a widespread yet uncommon reef building species.  It is found at restricted depths and is therefore susceptible to coral bleaching, a process in which coral polyps eject algal symbionts due to stress.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Pocillopora fungiformis

Pocillopora fungiformis

Commonly known as the Cauliflower coral, Pocillopora fungiformis is only found in tropical waters off the coast of Madagascar in the Western Indian Ocean.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Lithophyllon ranjithi

Lithophyllon ranjithi

This endangered coral species has a range which is restricted to one small area off the coast of north-eastern Borneo where it is easily misidentified as a closely related species, Lithophyllon undulatum.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Lithophyllon ranjithi Lithophyllon ranjithi

Pillar Coral

Dendrogyra cylindrus

Commonly known as Pillar Coral, colonies of this species are found in flat, sheltered locations ranging from the southern tip of Florida down to the coast of Venezuela.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Dendrogrya cylindrus Dendrogrya cylindrus

Pearl Bubble Coral

Physogyra lichtensteini

Commonly known as the Pearl Bubble Coral, Physogyra lichtensteini is distinct due to its fleshy vesicles which are on display throughout the day providing refuge for several marine invertebrates including shrimp.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Pearl Bubble Coral, Physogyra lichtensteini Philippines Pearl Bubble Coral, Physogyra lichtensteini Philippines

Elephant Skin Coral

Pachyseris rugosa

Commonly named as the Elephant Skin Coral due to its wrinkly appearance, Pachyseris rugosa is a fairly common species on tropical reef systems within its range.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Heliofungia actiniformis

Heliofungia actiniformis

Unlike many Scleractinian corals, adult polyps of Heliofungia are solitary and free living.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Fungi or Mushroom coral (Heliofungia actiniformis) resembles Sea anemone but is a solitary hard coral ot atached to the substrate, Papua New Guinea Fungi or Mushroom coral (Heliofungia actiniformis) resembles Sea anemone but is a solitary hard coral ot atached to the substrate, Papua New Guinea

Star Coral

Orbicella franksi

Until recently, this species was included under Orbicella annularis. In 1994 O. annularis was split into three separate species; O.faveolata, O.annularis and O.franksi.

Conservation Attention

Low