New research from Boston University, The University of Rhode Island (URI), and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) suggests that there may be a greater number of coral species than previously thought. This discovery could revolutionize coral reef conservation and restoration efforts worldwide.
The researchers have identified “cryptic lineages” of coral, which are genetically distinct but structurally similar. These corals may have the ability to withstand higher water temperatures, making them more resilient in warming waters. This finding has significant implications for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs in the face of climate change.
“This changes the game. It changes the way that we think about our systems. It changes the way we think about coral adaptation and conservation,” said Davies, a researcher involved in the study. “It puts a pause on what we actually do know and opens up a Pandora’s box.”
The researchers’ findings were published in a February 13 perspective in Nature Ecology & Evolution titled “Integrating cryptic diversity into coral evolution, symbiosis, and conservation.”
Tropical corals rely on algae for nutrients through photosynthesis. However, when temperatures rise, this process is disrupted, leading to coral bleaching and potential death.
2024-02-13 18:00:04
Article from phys.org