Black coral

Black coral
Black coral colony
Conservation status
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Hexacorallia
Order:	Antipatharia Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1857
Families[1]
Antipathidae Ehrenberg, 1834 Aphanipathidae Opresko, 2004 Cladopathidae Kinoshita, 1910 Leiopathidae Haeckel, 1896 Myriopathidae Opresko, 2001 Schizopathidae Brook [species], 1889 Stylopathidae Opresko, 2006

Antipatharians, also known as black corals or thorn corals,^[2] are an order of soft deep-water corals. These corals can be recognized by their jet-black or dark brown chitin skeletons, which are surrounded by their colored polyps (part of coral that is alive). Antipatharians are a cosmopolitan order, existing in nearly every oceanic location and depth, with the sole exception of brackish waters. However, they are most frequently found on continental slopes under 50 m (164 ft) deep. A black coral reproduces both sexually and asexually throughout its lifetime. Many black corals provide housing, shelter, food, and protection for other animals.

Black corals were originally classified in the subclass Ceriantipatharia along with ceriantharians (tube-dwelling anemones), but were later reclassified under Hexacorallia. Though they have historically been used by Pacific Islanders for medical treatment and in rituals, its only modern use is making jewelry. Black corals have been declining in numbers and are expected to continue declining due to the effects of poaching, ocean acidification and climate change.