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Researchers Witness Coral Cells Engulfing Algae For First Time
KEY POINTS
It gives clues on how the symbiotic relationship between corals and algae began
Further studies can shed light on coral bleaching and how to mitigate it
Scientists have observed coral cells engulfing photosynthetic algae for the first time. It is a crucial step in understanding their all-important symbiotic relationship.
Coral reefs are important biodiversity hotspots in the world s oceans, the researchers of a new study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, said. However, they have been placed under great stress in recent decades because of anthropogenic warming.
In particular, corals important symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called dinoflagellates has been strained.
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VIDEO: Dinoflagellates are single-celled algae that are essential for keeping corals healthy. When dinoflagellates are added to coral cell in a petri dish, the coral cells quickly engulf the algae. At. view more
Credit: OIST
For the first time, scientists have seen stony coral cells engulf dinoflagellates - single-celled, photosynthetic algae that are crucial for keeping coral alive
The researchers used a cell line called IVB5, which contains endoderm-like cells cultured from the stony coral,
Acropora tenuis
Around 40% of coral cells incorporated the algae in around 30 minutes and remained healthy for one month
The research is a step towards understanding the partnership between coral and dinoflagellates and could shed light on how coral bleaching occurs
Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021 07:52 AM MYT
One species of coral that is particularly threatened by climate change is Acropora tenuis, known to have three color morphs: brown, purple and yellow-green. Picture courtesy of goran safarek / Shutterstock
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NEW YORK, Feb 24 According to scientists in Japan, a coral’s colour can tell of its resilience to climate change. The yellow-green colour morph of a given species of coral was found to resist higher temperatures more effectively than the brown colour morph.
If you’ve dived in the Pacific Ocean or the Red Sea in recent years, you may have been struck by the amount of white coral reefs. These underwater structures are under threat from climate change and marine pollution. This can cause coral to turn a ghostly white colour a phenomenon called bleaching and ultimately die.
Environmental News Network - Colorful Connection Found in Coral s Ability to Survive Higher Temperatures enn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from enn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.