An Oct. 28 press release from the Center for Biological Diversity reports that the US government is now protecting two species of coral, elkhorn and staghorn.Found in Florida and the Caribbean, these corals were once the most numerous and important reef builders in this area. They have now declined by more than 90 percent in many areas, because of disease and increased water temperature. Ocean acidification is a new threat. 
The federal ruling prohibits activities that kill or harm staghorn or elkhorn coral, which are recognized as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
