What is the common name for the coral species Acropora cervicornis?

The common name for the coral species Acropora cervicornis is staghorn coral. Its thick, branching stems resemble the antlers of a stag, giving the species its memorable name.

Staghorn coral is a branching stony coral in the order Scleractinia. It typically lives in shallow Western Atlantic habitats, including fore reefs, back reefs, and patch reefs, usually at depths of less than 20 metres. Its rapid growth—sometimes producing several centimetres of new skeleton annually—helps it build complex three-dimensional habitat.

Those branching colonies provide shelter and nursery space for juvenile fish, while also helping buffer coastlines from waves and erosion. Staghorn coral was once abundant across the Caribbean and southern Florida, but white-band disease and other human pressures caused severe declines. It is commonly confused with table coral, another growth form, but Acropora cervicornis is specifically identified by its antler-like branches.