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Coral species may be extinct within 50 years, warn scientists as they reveal most endangered

By Graham Smith for MailOnline Updated: 14:08 GMT, 11 January 2011

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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 prioritised 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, https://%EC%97%90%EB%B3%BC%EB%A3%A8%EC%85%98%EC%B9%B4%EC%A7%80%EB%85%B8.io/ and the elegance coral, which has glowing tubular tentacles.

Enlarge   Endangered: The crisp pillow coral is one of ten species at greatest risk of becoming extinct, scientist warned today

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 prioritised include are the pearl bubble coral, which is a favoured food source of the hawksbill turtle, and the Mushroom coral, which supports at least 15 brightly coloured 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.

Enlarge   Elegance coral: Current worst case predictions suggest that tropical coral reefs will be functionally extinct within the next 30 to 50 years

These prehistoric ecosystems have been around for 400million years and support one third of all marine life, despite only inhabiting 0.2 per cent of the ocean floor.

TOP TEN ENDANGERED CORAL SPECIES

Elegance coral

Crisp pillow coral

Horastrea coral

Pillar coral

Elliptical star coral

Mushroom coral

Parasimplastrea coral

Pearl bubble coral

Ctenella coral

Elkhorn coral

Dr Heather Koldewey, of London Zoo, said: 'Corals are one of the most threatened groups of animals on our planet and iconic flagships of the marine environment.

'Edge Coral Reefs will focus on improving the resilience of the world's most diverse coral species, ensuring our coral reefs flourish in the future.'

The Edge conservation team will now train scientists to carry out vital conservation research on the ten focal species.

The plan is to develop a greater understanding of their status and determine the most effective methods for conserving them.

These in-country conservationists will form a global network of ambassadors for coral reef conservation, helping to empower and assist local communities in managing reef resources.

Enlarge   Mushroom coral: The Edge Coral Reefs conservation project has prioritised the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species