Articles tagged with Coral
A new study found that climate warming can increase the severity of bacterial infections in cold-blooded animals like corals, insects, and fish. The researchers analyzed data from 60 experimental studies and found that infected animals were more likely to die when exposed to higher temperatures.
Researchers have discovered two previously unknown bacterial species in deep-sea corals from the Gulf of Mexico. These bacteria have extremely reduced genomes and lack the ability to break down carbohydrates, surviving on amino acids instead. The discovery provides insights into the unique adaptations of deep-sea organisms.
Researchers found that coral reef communities persisted under certain conditions, contradicting most projections of their demise. The study's results suggest that effective climate change mitigation measures can help coral reefs adapt and thrive.
Researchers found that dead coral skeletons left after bleaching events protect seaweed from herbivores, enabling its quick colonization and outgrowth over young coral. This complex landscape prevents new corals from settling and surviving on the reef.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in all three parts of coral anatomy, including surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This finding may explain the 'missing plastic problem' and suggests that corals could be sequestering plastic waste from the ocean.
Research reveals that informing tourists about climate change does not harm their experience and can encourage sustainable actions. Eighty percent of participants wanted more information on climate change to help, highlighting an opportunity for tourism operators to enhance visitor experiences while advancing climate action.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has developed a new method to analyze the oxygen isotope composition of coral skeletons, allowing for more accurate temperature reconstructions and insights into biomineralization processes. This breakthrough enables scientists to correct for 'vital effects' that can distort climate data.
A new study reveals the crucial roles of fish and invertebrates in coral reef health, including nutrient boosting and predator protection. However, parasitic snails and destructive crab species also pose a threat to these vital ecosystems.
A new tool for forecasting coral disease has been developed by researchers from the University of Hawai'i, which can predict the risk of two diseases across reefs in the Pacific and Australia. This system can help managers detect early changes in the environment and take timely interventions to protect coral reef ecosystems.
The disease has devastated susceptible coral species, allowing fast-growing organisms like algae to thrive. This shift in ecosystem balance poses long-term threats to marine biodiversity and coastal communities, with potential benefits including reduced competition for herbivores.
The study found that elevated nutrient levels impacted reef growth, leading to the establishment of slower-growing and more sediment-tolerant coral communities in deeper water. This provides evidence on early Holocene water quality and demonstrates the capacity of the reef to grow under conditions typically considered unsuitable.
A recent study by the Smithsonian has pushed back the earliest dated origin of bioluminescence in animals by nearly 300 million years, dating it to around 540 million years ago in marine invertebrates called octocorals. The ability to produce light is involved in various behaviors such as camouflage, courtship, and hunting.
A team of researchers has identified coral as the oldest bioluminescent organism, with a history spanning over 540 million years. This discovery sheds new light on the evolution of organisms and their interactions with other species during the Cambrian era.
A new study by Stanford researchers explores the effects of different watershed interventions on coral health, finding that regional-scale approaches yield better results. The research identifies key areas for restoration, protection, and sustainable agriculture to support both ecosystem and societal benefits.
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered a network of ocean currents that scatter coral larvae between remote islands in the Seychelles. This 'coral superhighway' suggests that centrally located reefs may play a crucial role in linking distant islands, supporting regional reef resilience.
Sea cucumbers, known as the 'janitors' of the ocean, have been found to be a missing component in maintaining healthy coral reefs. Their removal due to overfishing has led to an increase in coral disease and a decline in biodiversity.
Research reveals that bleaching reefs release organic compounds that promote bacterial growth, leading to an increase in opportunistic bacteria and potential pathogens. This shift in microbial communities may harm corals through suffocation or disease.
Researchers have discovered pollutants from burning fossil fuels in Mediterranean corals, providing a potential new tool to track pollution. The study found significant increases in pollutant particles between 1969 and 1992, aligning with Europe's industrialization and coal consumption.
A recent study discovered that certain protists within the coral microbiome can inform scientists about a coral's ability to survive heat stress. The researchers found that parasitic single-celled protists are more common in corals that survive heat-stress, while Corallicolids are more common in corals that die from heat-stress.
Research by Oregon State University scientists found that some coral species can adapt to marine heat waves by remembering past events. The study suggests that the microbial communities within corals play a key role in this process.
A new study published in PNAS Nexus reveals that deep-sea corals and sponges produce the ROS superoxide, a highly reactive compound with previously unknown effects on ocean life and chemistry. The researchers used a one-of-a-kind deep-sea chemiluminescent sensor to detect superoxide in water closely surrounding corals.
A new study reveals that shipwrecks are providing a sanctuary for fish, corals, and other marine species in areas open to destructive bottom towed fishing. Marine life density is significantly higher within wreck sites than in control areas.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.
A new research project will explore the potential for low-lying coral atoll islands to survive the impact of rising sea levels, contradicting previous forecasts. The five-year £2.8m ARISE project will conduct extensive field tests and laboratory experiments in the Maldives and Pacific.
Researchers from the University of Plymouth discovered coral reef bleaching at depths previously thought to be resilient, highlighting the vulnerability of mesophotic coral ecosystems to thermal stress. The study suggests that climate change is causing a deepening of the thermocline, leading to increased bleaching in the deeper ocean.
Researchers at Kyoto University have found three new species of animals living together in harmony with worms in dead coral rocks. The discovery highlights the importance of community structure and biodiversity patterns in cryptofauna, suggesting that symbiotic relationships are omnipresent in the ocean.
A new approach allows researchers to create maps of coral biochemistry, detailing the distribution of compounds integral to reef health. This innovation provides unprecedented insight into coral resilience and potential stressors like warmer ocean temperatures and acidification.
Scientists have mapped the reproductive strategies and life cycle of an endangered coral species, offering a glimmer of hope for its recovery. The purple cauliflower soft coral's findings can inform conservation strategies and potential restoration efforts, including the creation of new coral colonies to repopulate areas of habitat.
Researchers found that intermittent shading can moderate coral bleaching on shallow reefs by reducing light stress. Shading corals for four hours a day reduced bleaching in some species, while longer periods of shading showed more significant results.
A team of University of Connecticut undergraduates has published the first full map of the butternut's DNA, a process that could help conserve endangered species. The project is part of an ambitious effort to sequence the DNA of overlooked organisms, including deep-sea corals and critically endangered birds.
A new study found that the Pacific Ocean's western boundary current significantly strengthened due to global warming, contributing to intensified equatorial undercurrents and increased sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific. This change has been linked to enhanced El Niño events.
A new study reveals that even colonies affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) can contribute to the restoration of susceptible species through assisted sexual reproduction. The study found high fertilization and settlement success rates, with survivorship rates reaching up to 44% after being outplanted on a degraded reef.
A new hedging strategy for coral restoration balances species diversity and ecosystem benefits by selecting key species that maintain critical functions. The approach considers a range of local species and ecological characteristics to ensure the most effective restoration outcomes.
A pioneering study using deep-sea corals reveals that ocean currents did not fuel the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 11,000 years. The research suggests that biogeochemical cycles redistributing nutrients and carbon in the ocean and on land may have influenced this rise.
A new study using CRISPR/Cas9 technology has identified a critical gene, SLC4γ, required for young coral colonies to build their skeletons. This gene is unique to stony corals and may have evolved to support skeleton formation.
Researchers discovered fragments of RNA viruses embedded in coral partners' genomes, dating back 160 million years. The discovery provides insights into how corals fight off viral infections and may hold the key to understanding the ecological impact of viruses on reef health.
Coral cells use a molecule called LePin to mark friendly algae for ingestion, a mutually beneficial relationship that helps corals survive. This discovery could inform strategies to prevent coral bleaching and promote coral resilience.
Researchers discovered how sea anemones distribute sugar from symbionts to recycle nitrogen waste, enabling them to build massive reef ecosystems. The study reveals that sea anemones play a major role in recycling scarce nitrogen, challenging the belief that algae are the sole actors.
Researchers developed an AI-powered tool to identify and measure coral reef halos globally, providing a new method for monitoring ecosystem health. The tool enables efficient tracking of reef ecosystems' function at large scales, improving understanding and management of coral reefs.
A study by McGill University and University of British Columbia found that the planet's biomass is concentrated in organisms at either end of the size spectrum. The researchers discovered a universal upper limit for maximum body size across multiple species and environments, with similar sizes reached by trees, fish, and other organisms.
New research builds consensus around assessing and interpreting Symbiodiniaceae genetic diversity, a crucial step in protecting coral reefs. The study highlights accepted techniques and approaches to fill knowledge gaps related to diversity.
Researchers have identified a probiotic that can protect Caribbean corals from stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), a deadly and rapidly spreading affliction. The probiotic treatment has been shown to stop or slow the progression of the disease in infected coral fragments, offering an antibiotic-free alternative.
An international research team has developed a framework to evaluate government preparedness for ocean acidification, a pressing threat to marine ecosystems. The framework identifies six aspects of effective policy and specific indicators, enabling policymakers to assess their own preparedness and identify areas for improvement.
A study by Hokkaido University reveals that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused more frequent heavy rainfall in the Mekong Delta, resulting in increased flooding risk. The findings suggest that better weather predictions and preparation can help mitigate the negative effects of floods and droughts in the region.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University discovered a coral species that can survive without algae for a year, maintaining its biological clock and essential metabolic processes.
Researchers found that coral microbiomes shed nutrient-loving and pathogen-associated microbes while increasing nitrogen-fixing microbes during dormancy. This restructuring helps maintain the coral's microbial community structure.
A new UNLV study compares ancient and modern ocean ecosystems, finding that ancient food webs varied greatly from today's systems. The research highlights the importance of understanding trophic position in community evolution and has implications for conservation efforts and policy.
A new study reveals that global warming and ocean acidification are threatening marine organisms with calcium carbonate skeletons, such as corals and sea urchins. The researchers found a clear pattern showing that species with high levels of magnesium in their skeletons become more common with warmer seawater temperatures.
A study found that mixing genetic makeup of corals increases resistance to disease, allowing some vulnerable corals to thrive. This 'rescue' effect helps reduce disease transmission among corals.
Researchers developed a pedigree for aquarium-bred corals, revealing relationships between individuals and identifying genetic differences. The study provides insights into maximizing genetic diversity and adaptability in corals bred for conservation, crucial for their resilience to threats like ocean warming and acidification.
A new study examines the impact of coral chemical compounds on reef composition and health, finding that they vary significantly by coral species. The research also discovers an invasive reef alga releasing high quantities of caffeine, which may contribute to its ability to invade and flourish on Caribbean reefs.
New research simulates climate warming and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, finding that high emissions could lead to critically warm temperatures as early as 2050. Reducing emissions may delay this onset, giving coral conservation programs more time to adapt.
Researchers found that coral symbiont community structure responds to environmental conditions in Kaneohe Bay, which can help predict how corals will respond to future heat stress. Corals in areas with less light and temperature variability hosted less of the stress resilient symbiont.
A new study by the University of Essex found that millions more people are living in coastal areas near coral reefs than 20 years ago. The area closest to the coral reefs has seen a population density boom, with rates going up quicker than global averages, and is now four times the global average.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between accelerating Arctic ice melt and ocean acidification, posing a dual threat to climate and marine life. The increased acidity levels in the western Arctic Ocean could lead to devastating consequences for plants, shellfish, coral reefs, and other organisms.
The study revealed an alternative pathway for cysteine biosynthesis in animals, using enzymes similar to those found in fungi and bacteria. This challenges the previous assumption that corals rely on symbiotic relationships with algae for cysteine production.
A new method for monitoring coral size and growth has been developed using dental scanning technology, reducing surveying time by 99%. This non-destructive approach allows scientists to measure thousands of tiny corals quickly and accurately without harming them, with the potential to expand large-scale monitoring of ocean health.
Researchers found that corals can pass somatic mutations to their offspring, which increases genetic diversity and provides a potential route for evolutionary adaptation. The discovery challenges conventional wisdom on the role of reproductive cells in evolution.
Researchers discovered that stony corals actively transport oxygen away from areas with high photosynthetic activity to reduce oxidative stress. This targeted ventilation system, facilitated by the tiny hairs on their surface, helps corals mitigate coral bleaching caused by environmental stressors.
The University of Guam is conducting a four-person research team's study on the genetics of corals from the Northern Mariana Islands to understand coral population connections, diversity, and adaptations. The study aims to identify potential reserves for declining reefs and assess the impact of warming waters.