This study presents the first complete ant fauna inventory for the Xisha Islands, revealing 21 ant species and 70% native taxa. Exotic species, including globally invasive fire ants, are significantly boosted by human disturbance, while vegetation type has negligible influence. Most Xisha ants are ground-dwelling omnivores, forming mut...
Researchers at KAUST found that controlled exposure to dead pathogenic cells can help corals resist future infection, suggesting the presence of an immune-like memory. This 'priming' approach may provide a safer and more effective strategy for coral conservation and reef restoration.
Professor Peixoto, a pioneering researcher, will shape AMI's strategic direction and champion its mission, providing clear leadership and representation. She aims to translate outstanding microbiological research into solutions and benefits for people and the planet.
Research finds that fertilizers and extreme heat are causing coral bleaching and disease outbreaks in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The study reveals that 60-80% of the nitrogen in the coral reefs comes from the Mississippi River basin, leading to an increase in disease outbreaks and coral bleaching.
Marine microbes play a vital role in ocean health, climate regulation, biodiversity, and the blue bioeconomy. They drive processes including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and primary productivity. AMI recommends acknowledging their importance in European ocean policy to ensure a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
Researchers establish that live probiotic and inactivated postbiotic treatments improve coral health under thermal stress. The treatments, which involve beneficial bacteria, improve coral resilience and promote specific metabolic and microbiome changes.
Corals hosting heat-tolerant algae are more resistant to heat stress, but their immune systems are suppressed, making them more prone to disease. This trade-off helps explain why some corals appear more resilient but struggle to survive in complex environments.
A recent NTU Singapore study found that 76% of Indo-Pacific coral reefs may struggle to keep pace with accelerating sea-level rise, threatening coastal protection and marine habitats. Reefs can grow only so quickly, and if sea level rises faster than a reef can build upwards, the reef will sit under progressively deeper water.
A two-year collaboration between Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers and UTS scientists has delivered the first comprehensive scientific baseline for the corals around Groote Archipelago in Australia's Northern Territory. The study found coral cover ranging from 5 to 47 per cent across sites, dominated by hardy massive corals.
Scientists have discovered a new coral species growing up to 1 meter tall on rocky outcrops in the Pacific Ocean. The bright yellow coral was found thriving in large numbers among brittle stars and has been classified into a new family, Laurinqueidae.
Researchers found that populations of small invertebrates thrive near rat-infested islands, where seabirds are scarce. In contrast, fish biomass is higher on reefs without rats, benefiting from nutrient-rich guano deposits.
Black corals' cilia perform various roles, including food transport and internal nutrient circulation. Cilia facilitate oxygen delivery and waste removal through ventilation.
A recent study using high-resolution modeling suggests that Hawaiian corals may be able to adapt to increasing temperatures, even under a high emissions scenario. However, the rate of adaptation varies across different coastal locations, with those around Hawaiʻi Island projected to experience higher heat stress.
A recent study found that human activities are fundamentally altering the chemical makeup of local coral reefs, leading to decreased coral health and resilience. The research team discovered that 25 contaminants from agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical sources accumulated in the soft tissues of coral around Maui, Hawai‘i.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have found that algae parasitized coral, exploiting a cellular organelle to obtain nutrients. This symbiotic relationship could hold the key to understanding why reefs are dying due to warming oceans.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
A recent study found that coral babies can disperse widely across the Pacific Ocean, with some species forming interconnected breeding populations. This discovery highlights the importance of considering diversity and connectivity in management interventions and conservation networks.
Scientists discovered that deep-water coral ecosystems in the Galápagos region vanished for over 1,000 years due to prolonged La Niña-like conditions. The study found that these ecosystems may be more susceptible to climate change than previously thought, with significant implications for conservation efforts.
A new study introduces Map the Giants, a pioneering citizen-science initiative to document giant coral colonies before they disappear due to global pressures. The project aims to unlock genetic secrets and traits of resilient corals, providing a validated sampling frame for future research.
Researchers used 3D imaging and artificial intelligence to analyze the microscopic structure of coral skeletons, revealing subtle changes caused by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. The study found that Attention U-Net performed best in detecting differences between healthy and diseased corals.
A team of archaeologists used uranium–thorium dating to establish precise construction timelines for houses built out of coral in French Polynesia. The findings reveal previously hidden patterns of architectural development and cultural life in Pacific societies, challenging earlier theories about coral reuse.
Researchers have identified new microbial species in corals that produce unique natural products, offering a vast arsenal of potential benefits to humanity. The study highlights the importance of protecting coral reefs' microbiomes to tap into this untapped resource before it's lost forever.
Ocean researchers call for broadened species categories and improved protections for coral reefs, as narrow definitions allow for military and economic interference. The researchers' letter aims to inform policymakers to address conservation gaps and ensure reef protection.
A recent study led by Smithsonian researchers found that half of the world's coral reefs suffered significant damage due to a global marine heatwave between 2014 and 2017. The analysis also showed that an even more severe event is unfolding now, with 50% of coral reefs experiencing significant damage.
A global study reveals signs of complete extinction in the Canary Islands, where a previously undetected mass mortality event was identified in mid-2022. The affected species is no longer capable of reproducing, potentially leading to local extinction with severe ecological consequences.
A £3.7 million project aims to provide unprecedented analysis of mesophotic coral reefs' vulnerability to climate change and identify ways to protect them. The study will use state-of-the-art technologies to collect comprehensive data on biodiversity, health, and environmental parameters.
Dr. Jeremy Horowitz has been selected for The Oceanography Society Early Career Award for his contributions to advancing black coral taxonomy, including new species and families. His work combines classical morphological taxonomy with phylogenomics and bioinformatics to describe new taxa and reconstruct evolutionary histories.
A joint study by Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa discovered that a soft coral's tentacles drive rhythmic movements through a decentralized neural pacemaker system. The system enables each tentacle to perform independent movement while achieving precise collective synchronization.
Researchers uncover the role of opsin genes in driving coral speciation through habitat-specific adaptation to light cues. The study proposes a new hypothesis on the origin of species in corals, shedding light on the mechanisms behind reproductive isolation and biodiversity.
A research team has developed a novel conceptual model to understand the adaptive strategies of the deep-sea black coral Bathypathes pseudoalternata and its symbiotic microbiome. The study reveals that the coral hosts a stable and highly streamlined microbiome that supports its survival in extreme environments.
A new study by the University of Oxford and WCS reveals that connections between coral reefs can stabilize reef health, reducing the risk of collapse. By simulating future reef conditions under different management scenarios, researchers found that a dual approach improving land and sea conditions provides the best outcomes for reefs.
Researchers found that coral reefs governed the pace of climate recovery by tuning the planet's carbon and climate cycles. The study suggests that reefs played a crucial role in stabilizing climate, but modern reef systems are declining due to warming and ocean acidification.
A meta-analysis of scientific literature reveals that pathogens are the primary driver of mass mortality events in sea urchins, with 33% of events attributed to them. Storms and extreme temperatures also play a significant role, with 25% and 24% of events respectively.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.
A new study models the impact of climate change on the GBR, forecasting a rapid coral decline before the middle of this century. However, curbing emissions and strategic management can help improve coral resilience, especially in well-mixed waters with good larval replenishment.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using advanced technology to understand how corals regain life-giving algae after suffering from heat stress. By studying the cellular and genetic mechanisms of algae reestablishment, researchers aim to develop practical tools to help reefs survive ocean warming.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have discovered a three-step process in coral fragments attaching to reefs, involving an immune response, tissue anchoring, and skeleton building. The study reveals distinct biological differences between coral species influencing attachment efficiency and growth rates.
A soft coral's ability to stiffen its skeleton in response to danger has been studied by Penn Engineers, revealing a mechanism known as granular jamming. By compacting mineral particles and expelling water, the coral's tissues create a rigid structure that can withstand external forces.
A new study documents the functional extinction of Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef following a record-setting marine heatwave in 2023. The heatwave caused catastrophic mortality rates, leading to a collapse of ecological function and marking what scientists call a functional extinction.
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney discovered that tailored lipid supplements can significantly increase coral larvae's strength, speed, and survival rate. This innovation has major implications for reef restoration projects, which aim to improve larval supply but often face low post-settlement survival rates.
A new method, pioneered by University of Sydney student Carra Williams, uses neutron computed tomography to identify well-preserved pockets of coral skeleton that can reveal precise timelines of sea-level and climate shifts. The technique has the potential to transform how scientists reconstruct ancient climates.
A team of international marine scientists urges reform to licensing and regulation of coastal restoration projects. The authors argue outdated systems hinder progress toward ambitious global targets to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
Researchers will analyze genetic diversity and structure of four key sponge species to enhance resilience in restored populations. The project aims to build ecological resilience in vulnerable marine environments through a genetics-based approach.
Most coral reefs in the western Atlantic are projected to stop growing and begin eroding due to global warming, with more than 70% expected to decline by 2040. The study also found that reefs will lag behind sea-level rise, resulting in increased flooding risks along vulnerable coasts.
Researchers created Bacterial Reef Ink, a living material that stimulates coral larvae to attach and settle. The ink's customized bacterial strains increased coral settlement by fivefold in test tanks.
Research reveals that even thermally tolerant coral species like Stylophora pistillata can experience reduced growth and increased metabolic demand under chronic elevated baseline temperatures. However, some corals can recover when waters cool in the winter, suggesting a potential for resilience.
Researchers at NTU Singapore create a new, eco-friendly sunscreen from Camellia flowers that blocks UV rays without harming corals. The pollen-based gel demonstrates comparable or superior UV protection to commercial sunscreens and regulates skin temperature more effectively.
New research demonstrates that corals naturally thriving in extreme environments can be used to boost the resilience of reef sites. Despite being transplanted to more stable conditions, these corals retained their heat tolerance and activated pathways associated with DNA repair and homeostasis.
A single species of coral in the Alcatrazes Archipelago retains about 20 tons of carbon per year, equivalent to the carbon emissions from burning 324,000 liters of gasoline. This stored carbon can last for centuries or millennia, making subtropical coral reefs like Alcatrazes potential greenhouse gas sinks.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed two technologies to support the survival and growth of baby corals, combining Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA) with 3D printed artificial settlement modules. This combination doubles coral survivorship and quadruples growth, providing a promising solution for coral re...
An international team of coral scientists calls for urgent regulatory reform to support assisted gene flow, a powerful tool to boost coral resilience. The researchers outline reforms needed to enable cross-border coral exchanges to introduce new genetic diversity and preserve coral diversity.
A recent study found that the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave caused unprecedented ecological disturbance, resulting in widespread kelp and seagrass declines and mass mortality events. The research highlights cascading impacts on species interactions, plankton communities, and offshore ocean productivity.
A new study projects significant ocean acidification around Hawaiian Islands within the next three decades, posing challenges to coral reefs and other marine organisms. Researchers found varying levels of acidity across different island regions, with windward coastlines exhibiting higher novelty in future conditions.
A new technique allows scientists to inject molecules into coral tissues, revealing thyroxine's positive effect on calcification. The study raises questions about the evolution of animal physiology and how corals utilize thyroxine in their natural habitat.
Research from the University of Queensland found that coral larvae traveling further can make populations stronger, as they share genetic variation among nearby reefs. This study quantified for the first time how far coral larvae disperse on the Great Barrier Reef and its impact on population connectivity.
A recent study predicts the origin of Chondria tumulosa, a cryptogenic red macroalga taking over Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems. The research provides tools for resource managers to develop effective management strategies.
Research shows that island rivers shape reef passes, allowing seawater and nutrients to flow in and out. The locations of reef passes align with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast, providing circulation throughout the reef.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterial probiotic helps slow the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in already infected wild corals in Florida. Applying the probiotic treatment across entire coral colonies helped prevent tissue loss, providing a more lasting protection than traditional antibiotics.
High levels of pollution and sea-level rise have led to an explosion in sea-urchin numbers, threatening the recovery of Hawaii's coral reefs. The reef in Hōnaunau Bay shows slow growth and high erosion rates, highlighting the need for robust fisheries management.
Researchers have developed an image-analysis tool called SeaSplat that cuts through the ocean's optical effects and generates images of underwater environments with accurate colors. The team paired SeaSplat with a computational model to convert images into three-dimensional underwater worlds, allowing for virtual exploration.