Coral species may be extinct within 50 years

Graham Smith -

Scientists have identified the ten coral species at greatest risk of becoming extinct.

Led by experts at London Zoo, the Edge Coral Reefs project has prioritized the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species that conservationists fear will die out in the next 50 years.

Among those singled out as urgently in need of conservation are the crisp pillow coral, which resembles a brain, and the elegance coral, which has glowing tubular tentacles.

Current worst case predictions suggest that tropical coral reefs, which have evolved over millions of years, will be functionally extinct within the next 30 to 50 years.

Saving these species could hold the key to the future adaptation of coral reefs to climate change, the scientists said at the project's launch today.

The other species prioritized include are the pearl bubble coral, which is a favored food source of the hawksbill turtle, and the Mushroom coral, which supports at least 15 brightly colored shrimp including the popcorn shrimp.

The species are found in some of the world’s most famous coral reefs, from the Great Barrier Reef to the waters surrounding the Chagos Archipelago.

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