Pillar coral forms an encrusted base from which grow vertical cylindrical, round-ended columns. This coral can … See more

Pillar corals are found in the warmer parts of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Within its range, D. cylindrus is common in some places, but rare in other seemingly suitable locations. Some of th… See more

Pillar coral is a zooxanthellate species, with symbiotic dinoflagellate algae living within the tissues. In sunlight these undergo photosynthesis and most of the organic compounds they produce are transferred to their … See more

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists pillar coral as being Critically Endangered under criteria A2bce. This is because recruitment and survival rates of juveniles is low and this coral is particularly susceptibl… See more