Biology
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Some Cirrhipathes corals have microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues (3). Through photosynthesis, these symbiotic algae produce energy-rich molecules that the coral polyps can use as nutrition. In return, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with protection and access to sunlight (4) (5). Those species without zooxanthellae must gain nutrition by another means, by capturing prey in their tentacles. Cirrhipathes species are known to capture any small organism floating in the ocean that measures up to two millimeters long, as well as large marine worms that may be over one centimetre in length (6).
Cirrhipathes corals appear to provide a suitable environment for a number of species to inhabit, resulting in a number of fascinating relationships. The shrimps Pontonides unciger and Dasycaris zanzibarica are believed to only be able to survive living within a Cirrhipathes coral, while the male golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) bites off some of the living coral tissue to expose the bare skeleton beneath, where the female will lay her eggs. (6) The crab Xenocarcinus tuberculatus is also often found on Cirrhipathes corals, where it collects and covers itself with some of the coral polyps, in an ingenious attempt at camouflaging itself (6).
Conservation
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Cirrhipathes corals are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that trade in this species should be carefully regulated (1).
Description
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Also known as whip or wire corals, Cirrhipathes species are long, unbranched corals, which extend up to three metres or more, from a base attached to the reef. They may be straight or form attractive and peculiar twisted or coiled shapes (2) (3). The colour of these corals is variable, including pale green, yellow, brown and grey (2). Like all other black corals (those belonging to the order Antipatharia), Cirrhipathes species have a dark skeleton, after which they are named, covered with polyps, the soft bodied, colourful part of the coral. Each polyp is attached to the skeleton at the base, while the other end bears a mouth surrounded by tentacles (4). Unlike many corals which retract their polyps during the day or night, Cirrhipathes species can only partly retract their polyps, giving the coral a barbed-wire-like appearance (2).
Habitat
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These corals are found on reefs in tropical and subtropical waters (3).
Range
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Cirrhipathes corals are found in the Indian and Pacific oceans (3).
Status
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Listed on Appendix II of CITES (1).
Threats
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All black corals are harvested to be made into jewellery, carvings and tourist souvenirs (7), its popularity and high value coming from its dark skeleton, which can be polished to a lustrous sheen (8). Cirrhipathes anguina is known to be one of the most commonly traded black coral species, but otherwise, it can be hard to determine the extent to which Cirrhipathes species are affected by such exploitation as identification of black corals in the trade down to the level of genus is difficult (8). Black corals around the world are also known to be impacted by habitat degradation, and recently, a small trade in live specimens for aquariums has been reported (8).
Cirrhipathes
provided by wikipedia EN
Cirrhipathes is a genus of black coral from the family Antipathidae. Coral species in this genus are commonly known as whip or wire corals because they often exhibit a twisted or coiled morphology. In addition to their colorful appearance, with colors ranging from yellow to red passing through blue and green, these species possess a dark skeleton that is characteristic to every black coral.[1][2]
Distribution
Commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, these corals are part of the reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans, sometimes as shallow as 15 metres (49 ft) but often at depths greater than 50 metres (160 ft). Long and unbranched, Cirrhipathes species are attached to coral reefs.[3][4]
Description
Like all corals, Cirrhipathes species are made of and covered by polyps. These polyps are responsible for providing defense and feeding mechanisms in the form of stinging structures known as nematocysts. These structures, which are present in their tentacles, are fired at preys or predators. The characteristic barbed-wire-like appearance of Cirrhipathes species is the result of their inability to completely retract their polyps. They can grow up to more than three meters in length.[3][5]
Corals in this genus have different ways of obtaining nutrients. While some species obtain nutrients from their mutualistic interaction with photosynthetic zooxanthellae, others obtain their food by simply capturing small floating animals with their tentacles. When kept in aquariums, wire corals being carnivorous organisms should be fed on small, meaty items such as baby brine, rotifers, cyclop-eeze, fish eggs, and other zooplankton feeds.
From their interaction with the zooxanthellae, the Cirrhipathes obtain essential molecules and in return, protection and access to sunlight are provided to the zooxanthellae. Furthermore, important habitats that house numerous species of marine organisms are formed by these corals. It is even believed that the survival of two species of shrimp depends entirely on these corals.[3][5]
References
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^ Tina Molodtsova (2013). "Cirrhipathes de Blainville, 1830". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
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^ Bo, M.; Di Camillo, C.G.; Addamo, A.M.; Valisano, L.; Bavestrello, G. (2009). "Growth strategies of whip black corals (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) in the Bunaken Marine Park (Celebes Sea, Indonesia)". Marine Biodiversity Records. 2. doi:10.1017/S1755267209000712. ISSN 1755-2672.
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^ a b c Brian Morton (5 June 1984). Asian Marine Biology 1984. Hong Kong University Press. pp. 101–. ISBN 978-962-209-113-9.
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^ Wagner, Daniel; Luck, Daniel G.; Toonen, Robert J. (2012). "The Biology and Ecology of Black Corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Antipatharia)". Advances in Marine Biology Volume 63. Advances in Marine Biology. Vol. 63. pp. 67–132. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-394282-1.00002-8. ISBN 9780123942821. ISSN 0065-2881. PMID 22877611.
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^ a b Wildscreen Arkive. Accessed via http://www.arkive.org/black-corals/cirrhipathes-spp/ Archived 2015-04-11 at the Wayback Machine on 2015-04-03
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Cirrhipathes: Brief Summary
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Cirrhipathes is a genus of black coral from the family Antipathidae. Coral species in this genus are commonly known as whip or wire corals because they often exhibit a twisted or coiled morphology. In addition to their colorful appearance, with colors ranging from yellow to red passing through blue and green, these species possess a dark skeleton that is characteristic to every black coral.
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