Articles tagged with Coral
Researchers have determined that deep-sea corals from Hawaii are much older than previously thought, with some species estimated to be around 2,740 and 4,270 years old. The longest-lived coral is believed to be the deep-water black coral, which has been continuously growing its skeleton for millennia.
Scientists identified seven new species of bamboo coral, potentially representing entirely new genera. The discoveries highlight the importance of deep-sea corals supporting diverse ecosystems and their vulnerability to ocean acidification.
Researchers discovered at least three new species of sea life, including a carnivorous sea squirt and a new species of barnacles. The team also collected over 10,000 fossilized coral samples, which will help study the impact of climate change on oceans.
A new marine-based reconstruction shows that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has become more variable over the past century, swinging wildly between cold and warm periods. The research suggests that climate warming is linked to this increased variability, with potential implications for extreme weather events and droughts.
Researchers have identified a specific type of dinoflagellate that renders corals more susceptible to disease. The study found that this particular symbiont produces less food for the coral, leading to starvation and increased disease risk.
A new study shows that shallow water corals originated from deep-sea animals that invaded and diversified in shallow waters. The researchers found evidence of this transition in DNA and fossils, revealing an arms-race between corals and their predators as they built skeletal defenses.
Researchers analyzed GPS data and coral growth bands to understand strain buildup between earthquakes. They found that locked fault zones store strain, which releases during future large earthquakes. The study aims to improve earthquake models and tsunami risk assessment.
Researchers found that a geological province previously thought to prevent giant earthquakes broke through, potentially increasing the risk of more severe quakes like those occurring in Cascadia Subduction Zone. This discovery could have significant implications for earthquake preparedness and response worldwide.
Scientists analyze lessons from cod collapse to advocate sustainable tuna management, including MSC certification and public awareness. Innovative research using data-logging tags can help protect bluefin tuna populations.
Deep-sea coral samples reveal ancient ocean conditions and carbon dioxide absorption, shedding light on past climate change. Scientists urge protection from harvesting and deep-sea fishing.
Studies show that stylasterids, or lace corals, diversified in deep waters before launching successful invasions of shallow water habitats. This contradicts the long-established theory that corals and other marine animals evolved in shallow water.
Three species of Galapagos corals and 74 seaweeds were listed as threatened or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to climate change and over-fishing. The study highlighted the urgent need for marine conservation practice to address these environmental pressures.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has launched a new lab to study the effects of climate change on corals, using controlled temperature and carbon dioxide conditions. The lab aims to understand how corals will respond to increased ocean acidity and warming in the next 50-100 years.
Researchers found that plastic morphometric characters are associated with branch level and fixed traits with colony level in Stylophora pistillata corals. This adaptive plasticity allows the formation of species-specific architecture through variable developmental routes.
A new study by Smithsonian scientists suggests that environmental changes in the Caribbean led to extinctions 2 million years after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The research found that most coral and snail species died off a good 2 million years after the environmental change that caused their demise.
Deep-sea fishing has been linked to habitat destruction and population declines of long-lived fish species. Eliminating government fuel subsidies could render fleets economically unviable and relieve pressure on vulnerable ecosystems.
Researchers modeled Martian radiation environment to determine if life can survive; three-dimensional models improve predictions for glacial isostatic adjustments. A new method using seismic noise images volcanoes in three dimensions, offering improved volcanic hazard assessment.
Scientists from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) are making significant discoveries in ocean drilling operations, including the first complete section through a modern cold-water coral mound. The IODP is an international scientific research program that explores subseafloor environments and monitors environmental change, ge...
Climate scientists analyzed data to determine that global warming is increasing Atlantic hurricane intensity. Additionally, the water cycle is changing, with seasonal trends shifting into spring. The study also found a connection between atmospheric tides and weather in the tropics influencing the equatorial ionosphere.
Researchers found that tsunami waves were more destructive on the west coast of Sri Lanka due to human intervention, such as coral poaching and beach re-landscaping. The study's findings highlight the importance of preserving natural coastal defenses against tsunamis.
New technologies such as multi-beam sonar enable detailed mapping of the ocean floor, revealing undersea mountains, new species and improving safety for shipping. This advancement allows for better management of marine resources, including fisheries and conservation efforts.
A new species of coral, Christmas Tree Coral (Antipathes dendrochristos), has been discovered in deep waters off southern California. The coral grows up to two meters tall and was first noticed during dives for rockfish surveys.
A team of scuba diving scientists discovered a new type of marine habitat in Alaska's Prince William Sound, specifically rhodolith beds. These colorful algae structures have been found worldwide but never in Alaskan waters, sparking debate over their protection and potential impact on the ecosystem.
A giant fossil coral found in Vanuatu provides evidence of the Younger Dryas period's significant cooling event, which affected the tropics. The coral's growth rate and chemical composition reveal that sea surface temperatures were on average 4.5°C lower than present during this time.
A recent USGS review of scientific literature reveals increased reports of disease outbreaks in turtles, corals, mollusks, mammals, and urchins since 1970. However, no significant trends were detected for seagrasses, decapods, or sharks/rays, with even a decrease in disease reports among fish.
The aquarium trade poses a significant threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems due to the introduction of invasive species. Experts recommend regulating the industry by listing safer alternatives and using bonds to cover potential damage costs.
Researchers have discovered a new family of Atlantic corals using DNA analysis, revealing that about one-third of Atlantic corals are closely related but distinct from Pacific corals. This finding requires reevaluation of conservation priorities for threatened coral species in the Atlantic Ocean.
A groundbreaking study reveals a previously undetected divergence between Pacific and Atlantic corals, finding that about one-third of Atlantic corals constitute their own unique family. This discovery highlights the need to reconsider current conservation efforts due to the severe threats faced by this distinct group.
Deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems are being destroyed by commercial fishing, especially bottom trawling. Scientists call for governments to protect these newly discovered ecosystems, which provide habitat for marine wildlife and contain chemicals that could become medicines.
Marine biologist Sara Lourie identifies a new species of pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus denise, found in tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The diminutive fish, averaging 16mm in length, may be safe from over-exploitation due to its camouflage abilities.
Researchers have discovered that coral layers in the Atlantic Ocean hold a key to understanding the region's climate dynamics. By analyzing calcium carbonate skeletons, Dr. Lisa Greer and her team found a periodic pattern of oxygen isotope composition with peaks every 12-15 years, mirroring sea surface temperature data.
A study of coral records from the South-West Pacific reveals that El Niño's behavior remained consistent during the Little Ice Age, with no impact on its strength or frequency. The research suggests that massive corals can provide valuable insights into past climatic phenomena.
Scientists have tracked sea level changes and volumes of glacial ice using fossil corals. The study found that sea levels rose too early to be consistent with Milankovitch's orbital forcing, implying other factors can override glacial cycles.