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Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

The sunset cup coral is a bright yellow or orange stony coral. It has a tentacular polyp that emerges from a porous, calcareous skeleton. The skeleton may be short and cylindrical or tall and inversely conical. It is typically solitary but is rarely found in small groups forming 'pseudocolonies'. The tentacles are quite long and number around 96. When fully retracted the tentacles are barely visible inside the skeleton.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Portland Bill, Lyme Bay, off Plymouth Sound, the Isles of Scilly and Lundy only. Believed to no longer occur in North Devon near Ilfracombe where it was present in 1969 (K. Hiscock, pers. comm.)

Global distribution

Found throughout the Mediterranean west of Cyprus and in the Adriatic. Also on the Atlantic coasts of SW England, the Channel Isles, Brittany and Portugal. It has not been recorded despite targeted survey in Madeira, the Azores, or the Canary Isles.

Habitat

Leptopsammia pruvoti prefers shaded bedrock or stable boulders and is typically found in caves and gullies or under overhangs. Found at open coast locations mainly facing away from prevailing winds. It is commonest between 10 and 30 m with a maximum depth of 40 m recorded in the western Mediterranean.

Depth range

10-40

Identifying features

  • Almost always solitary but sometimes found as small groups of corallia arising from one base (pseudocolonies).
  • The disk and tentacles are usually yellow, sometimes with an orange disk.
  • The polyp sits in a porous calcified skeleton.
  • Possesses about 96 tentacles.
  • Attached to bedrock or stable boulders in crevices, caves or overhangs.
  • The corallum may be from short and cylindrical to tall and inversely conical, height to 60 mm, diameter of the calyx to 17 mm.

Additional information

The synonym Leptopsammia microcardia was last used by Abel (1959) and Rutzler, 1966 despite the general recognition of their synonymy since 1954.

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Biology review

Taxonomy

PhylumCnidaria
ClassAnthozoa
OrderScleractinia
FamilyDendrophylliidae
GenusLeptopsammia
AuthorityLacaze-Duthiers, 1897
Recent SynonymsLeptopsammia microcardia Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897

Biology

Typical abundanceLow density
Male size rangeup to 60mm
Male size at maturity
Female size rangeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
Female size at maturity
Growth formCylindrical
Growth rate1.3mm/year
Body flexibility
Mobility
Characteristic feeding methodNo information, Passive suspension feeder
Diet/food source
Typically feeds on
Sociability
Environmental positionEpifaunal
DependencyIndependent.
SupportsSubstratum

the barnacle Boscia anglica, the horseshoe worm Phoronis hippocrepia, the fan worm Potamilla reniformis and the bivalve Hiatella arctica.

Is the species harmful?No

Biology information

Younger individuals have a round calice which becomes elliptical with age. The skeleton is porous. It is not known whether the species is hermaphroditic or gonochoristic. The size range applies to maximum height of the corallum. The longest diameter of the calyx is 17 mm. Growth rate has been observed to be very slow in aquarium specimens which are little fed and in same seawater for several months (2 mm across calice after 18 months) but can be fast if fed and in continuous seawater supply (to 10 mm across calice after one year. (Paul Tranter, pers. comm.). Typically found as solitary individuals but may occur as several corallia from the same base forming 'pseudocolonies': during culture experiments, if any of the tissue overlying the skeletal column was lost, there would eventually appear, over a matter of weeks, one or more small polyps which would eventually form part of the 'parent' skeleton and give the impression of a naturally formed colony (Paul Tranter, pers. comm.). Leptopsammia pruvoti is known to have the ability to control and possibly 'farm' the bacterial content of its coelenteric cavity (Herndl & Velimirov, 1985). These bacteria could be used as an additional food source. The horseshoe worm Phoronis hippocrepia and the fan worm Potamilla reniformis bore into the base of the skeleton of Leptopsammia pruvoti and the bivalve Hiatella arctica further enlarges these boreholes. Once bored, the skeleton is weakened and corals may be easily detached.

Habitat preferences

Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Biological zone preferencesLower circalittoral, Lower infralittoral, Upper circalittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesBedrock, Large to very large boulders, Small boulders
Tidal strength preferencesModerately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Very Weak (negligible), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesExposed, Moderately exposed, Sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu)
Depth range10-40
Other preferencesNo text entered
Migration PatternNon-migratory / resident

Habitat Information

This species is at the northern limit of its range possibly forming a relict from a larger previous distribution. It is now restricted to 'ideal' locations.

Life history

Adult characteristics

Reproductive typeGonochoristic (dioecious)
Reproductive frequency No information
Fecundity (number of eggs)11-100
Generation timeInsufficient information
Age at maturityInsufficient information
SeasonJuly - September
Life spanInsufficient information

Larval characteristics

Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Lecithotrophic
Duration of larval stage1 day
Larval dispersal potential <10 m
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

Lifespan has not been established for this species but it is probably quite long lived. Individuals tend to die through weakening of the skeleton by boring organisms and subsequent detachment by agents such as foraging fish or careless divers. However, skeletons (dead individuals) have been found still attached to rocks (K. Hiscock, pers. comm.) Populations tend to become extinct through lack of recruitment. Lacaze-Duthiers, (1897) suggests that the sexes are separate. Eggs are laid in succession , at indefinite, fairly well-spaced intervals over a period of time that must be substantial (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897). Larvae have been successfully produced in aquaria. The eggs are released from the female stomach cavity and those that are unfertilised may float to the surface. Fertilised eggs (young larvae) swim actively in the water column (K. Hiscock pers. comm..) but settle rapidly to the substratum close to the adult, where after a period of freedom they attach themselves in the shape of an ovoid or a ciliated worm (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897). The larval settling time is generally short but observations from aquaria suggest that the larval stage may exist for up to six weeks before settling. Recruitment is very sporadic. Over 12 years of monitoring on Lundy has shown little or no recruitment and the population there declined by 22 percent between 1993 and 1997. Recruitment may fail for several reasons. Environmental conditions (primarily temperature) are unsuitable for gamete production to occur or to occur synchronously. Alternatively larvae may be swept away into unsuitable habitat by water currents or be consumed by predators before metamorphosing. Recruitment in the Mediterranean is also sporadic. Some recruitment may occur through influx of southern water bodies bringing with it larvae.

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Substratum loss
 High Very low / none Very High High
This species is permanently attached to the substratum so substratum loss would cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Smothering
 High Very low / none Very High Moderate
This species is permanently attached to the substratum and would be unable to avoid or 'dig-out' from smothering. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Increase in suspended sediment
 Intermediate Very low / none High Moderate
This species is permanently attached to the substratum and would be unable to avoid changes in siltation. However, the species tends to inhabit caves or overhangs which are less likely to be exposed to suspended material settling out. The polyp will most likely 'inflate' with water to expand above the silt if briefly covered. Increased siltation may clog feeding apparatus and there would be an energetic cost to clearing this sediment. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Decrease in suspended sediment
 No information
Desiccation
 High Very low / none Very High High
The species is only found subtidally (typically 10-30 m) and the polyp is soft bodied. Exposure to desiccating influences would cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Increase in emergence regime
 High Very High High
The species is only found subtidally (typically 10-30m) and the polyp is soft bodied. Emersion from the water would cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring. Recruitment from distant water bodies may occur every 25-30 years. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Decrease in emergence regime
 No information
Increase in water flow rate
 Low Very high Very Low Moderate
Decreases in flow rate are unlikely to have any effect as Leptopsammia pruvoti can be found in areas with negligible water flow. Increases in water flow rate may interfere with the ability to feed or to hold the tentacles out in the current. However, a thriving population has been found on the wave exposed west coast of Lundy. Reproduction may be restricted and body condition may be lost as a result of increases in water flow rate. On resumption of 'normal' water flow rates recovery will probably occur within a few months.
Decrease in water flow rate
 No information
Increase in temperature
 Intermediate High Moderate
Observations from aquaria suggest that the species is very tolerant to temperature increases, tolerating up to about 30 ° C for several days. Similarly, observations from aquaria suggest that, once established it survives in temperatures below its normal range. Leptopsammia pruvoti distribution extends south into the Mediterranean where water temperatures are considerably warmer than in the British Isles. However, the species is at the northern limit of its range and long term chronic decreases in temperature would probably cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Decrease in temperature
 No information
Increase in turbidity
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Leptopsammia pruvoti tends to inhabit low light environments such as caves, crevices and overhangs. In the Mediterranean the species is found in very dark conditions (Riedl, 1966). If the presence of some light is of critical importance, increased light transmission may mean that (if recruitment occurs) the species can extend its depth range (In the clear waters of the western Mediterranean the lower depth limit is 40m as opposed to 30m elsewhere.
Decrease in turbidity
 No information
Increase in wave exposure
 Intermediate High Low
The species inhabits a range of wave exposures from exposed to sheltered. Decreases in wave exposure may not have any effect on the species but increases in wave exposure may affect the ability to feed and extend tentacles. However, a thriving population has been found on the wave exposed west coast of Lundy. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Decrease in wave exposure
 No information
Noise
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
This species probably has very limited facility for vibration detection and as such is unlikely to be sensitive to noise.
Visual presence
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High
This species has very limited ability to detect changes in light levels and no visual perception and as such is unlikely to be sensitive to visual disturbance.
Abrasion & physical disturbance
 High Very High Moderate
The calcified skeleton of this species is brittle. Physical disturbance or abrasion would cause detachment and death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production, or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment was not recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is likely but may also occur from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's (Keith Hiscock pers obs.). Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Displacement
 High Very High High
This species is permanently fixed to boulders or bedrock - displacement would certainly cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.

Chemical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Heavy metal contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Hydrocarbon contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Radionuclide contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Changes in nutrient levels
 Low Very high Very Low Very low
Changes in nutrient concentration are unlikely to affect this species greatly unless there is a smothering effect through enhanced growth of ephemeral algae. High calcium levels may benefit skeleton construction. On removal of the factor, death of the algae etc and resumption of normal feeding, water flow etc, return to original condition should take only a short time.
Increase in salinity
 High Very High Moderate
The species is only found in fully saline environments and at depths unlikely to be affected by freshwater surface runoff (10-30m). Observations from aquaria suggest that these animals are quite tolerant to slight changes in salinity but reductions of one or two salinity bands are likely to cause death. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.
Decrease in salinity
 No information
Changes in oxygenation
 Intermediate High Moderate
Cole et al. (1999) suggest possible adverse effects on marine species below 4 mg/l and probable adverse effects below 2mg/l. A reduction in oxygen concentration may cause some individuals of a population to die although observations from aquaria suggest that these animals are quite hardy. Gamete production, synchronous gamete production or successful recruitment are very unpredictable and sporadic primarily due to unfavourable environmental conditions. Local recruitment has not been recorded at Lundy during more than 12 years of monitoring but occurred to a small extent in 1998. Local recruitment is most likely but may also be from distant water bodies perhaps every 25-30 years. There has been no observation of colonization of wrecks or new natural surfaces near to existing colonies such as the breakwater at Plymouth Sound constructed in the early 1800's. Recovery will take a very long time or may not occur at all.

Biological pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Introduction of non-native species
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Extraction of this species
 Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Moderate
It is extremely unlikely that Leptopsammia pruvoti would be extracted. The species is the subject of a UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Extraction of other species
 Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Low
Leptopsammia pruvoti has no known obligate relationships so removal of other species is unlikely to have any effect on the population.

Additional information

Importance review

Policy/legislation

UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority
Species of principal importance (England)
Features of Conservation Importance (England & Wales)

Status

Non-native

Importance information

Leptopsammia pruvoti provides a substratum for the barnacle Boscia anglica and is also bored into by the horseshoe worm Phoronis hippocrepia and the fan worm Potamilla reniformis. The holes created by these worms are then enlarged by the bivalve Hiatella arctica.

Bibliography

  1. Anonymous, 1999f. Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti). Species Action Plan. In UK Biodiversity Group. Tranche 2 Action Plans. English Nature for the UK Biodiversity Group, Peterborough., English Nature for the UK Biodiversity Group, Peterborough.

  2. Hayward, P., Nelson-Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Collins pocket guide. Sea shore of Britain and northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.

  3. Herndl, G.J. & Velimirov, B., 1985. Bacteria in the coelenteron of Anthozoa: control of coelomic bacterial density by the coelenteric fluid. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 93, 115-130.

  4. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  5. Lacaze-Duthiers, H. de, 1897. Faune du Golfe du Lion.

  6. Manuel, R.L., 1988. British Anthozoa. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) (ed. D.M. Kermack & R.S.K. Barnes). The Linnean Society of London [Synopses of the British Fauna No. 18.]. DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/iroh.19810660505

  7. Riedl, R., 1966. Biologie der Meereshöhlen. Topographie, faunistik und okologie eines unterseeischen lebensraumes. Eine monographie. 636 pp. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey.

  8. Sanderson, W.G., 1996. Rare benthic marine flora and fauna in Great Britain: the development of criteria for assessment. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. JNCC Report, no. 240.

  9. Zibrowius, H., 1980. Les scleractiniaires de la Mediterranee et de l'Atlantique nord oriental. Memoires de l'Institut Oceanograhique, Monaco. 11, 391 pp.

Datasets

  1. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  2. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-06-07

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Jackson, A. 2008. Leptopsammia pruvoti Sunset cup coral. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 07-06-2023]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1285

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Last Updated: 17/04/2008