Illustration of staghorn coral
staghorn coral
noun
stag·horn coral
ˈstag-ˌhȯrn- 
: any of several large branching corals (genus Acropora, especially A. cervicornis) that somewhat resemble antlers
Examples of staghorn coral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These crossbreeds may keep hope alive And while naturally conceived elkhorn and staghorn coral may soon be a thing of the past in Florida, reef restoration groups will keep breeding and replanting them.
—
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to carpet Florida’s reef system, rising like antlers from the seabed — but not anymore.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
By vacuuming microbes out of the sand, sea cucumbers reduce the growth of ecosystem-smothering algae as well as nasty bacteria that cause coral disease: A 2024 experiment found that removing sea cucumbers on two Pacific reefs led to a surge in sickness and death among many staghorn corals.
—Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2025
As branching coral look-alikes, the cuttlefish splayed out their arms and displayed dark mottles to blend in with staghorn coral.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
This might serve to help the cuttlefish hide among staghorn corals to conceal its approach to prey.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
Palacio said the region saw widespread mortality of elkhorn and staghorn corals, two species that have been the focus of restoration efforts.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024
While even dying staghorn corals can poke up from reefs like deer antlers from heather, other species, such as brain corals, may protrude less than an inch.
—airmail.news, 24 Feb. 2024
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Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to carpet Florida’s reef system, rising like antlers from the seabed — but not anymore.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
By vacuuming microbes out of the sand, sea cucumbers reduce the growth of ecosystem-smothering algae as well as nasty bacteria that cause coral disease: A 2024 experiment found that removing sea cucumbers on two Pacific reefs led to a surge in sickness and death among many staghorn corals.
—Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2025
As branching coral look-alikes, the cuttlefish splayed out their arms and displayed dark mottles to blend in with staghorn coral.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
This might serve to help the cuttlefish hide among staghorn corals to conceal its approach to prey.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
Palacio said the region saw widespread mortality of elkhorn and staghorn corals, two species that have been the focus of restoration efforts.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024
While even dying staghorn corals can poke up from reefs like deer antlers from heather, other species, such as brain corals, may protrude less than an inch.
—airmail.news, 24 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Staghorn coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staghorn%20coral. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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