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A new cave dwelling coral has been discovered. Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema / Naturalis
LEIDEN, The Netherlands -- Coral specialist Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema of Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, The Netherlands, recently published the description of a new coral species that lives on the ceilings of caves in Indo-Pacific coral reefs. It differs from its closest relatives by its small polyp size and by the absence of symbiotic algae, so-called zooxanthellae. Its distribution range overlaps with the Coral Triangle, an area that is famous for its high marine species richness. Marine zoologists of Naturalis visit this area frequently to explore its marine biodiversity.
Reef corals in shallow tropical seas normally need the symbiotic algae for their survival and growth. Without these algae, many coral reefs would not exist. During periods of elevated seawater temperature, most reef corals lose their algae, which is visible as a dramatic whitening of the reefs, a coral disease known as bleaching.
Most reef corals generally do not occur over 40 m depth, a twilight zone where sunlight is not bright anymore, but some species of the genus Leptoseris are exceptional and may even occur much deeper. At greater depths, seawater is generally colder and corals here may be less susceptible to bleaching than those at shallower depths. Despite the lack of zooxanthellae and its small size, the skeleton structures of the new species indicate that it is closely related to these Leptoseris corals, although it has not been found deeper than 35 m so far.
The species is named Leptoseris troglodyta. The word troglodyta is derived from ancient Greek and means "one who dwells in holes," a cave dweller. The discovery sheds new light on the relation of reef corals with symbiotic algae. The new species has adapted to a life without them. Consequently, it may not grow fast, which would be convenient because space is limited on cave ceilings. The species description is published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of UnderwaterTimes.com, its staff or its advertisers.
Reader Comments
12 people have commented so far.All coral should be only to produce beautifull jewelry! What a waste to let it lie there in the ocean! The same for furry animals! They should keep women warm and beautifull!
comment# 1 - anonymous · not known · Oct 12, 2012 @ 2:19pm
Well anonymous that is a comment to draw responses. How sad to think that mankind feels this earth is theirs to do with for their own good, even if it means killing lifeforms for nothing more than pleasure. The Eco system is a very delicate balance and we are still too ignorant to know all the effects of our destruction and cruelty.
comment# 2 - Ed · USA · Oct 14, 2012 @ 12:35pm
The new found coral should be left right where it is, studied ofcourse. The fur should be left on the animals unless you live at the North or South Poles. We have enough synthetic materials to keep all of us warm and still look stylish. You could always look for and use fur from coats in second shops if you really need the fur.
comment# 3 - LLynne · unkown · Oct 14, 2012 @ 1:00pm
Absolutely NO. Furry animals SHOULD NOT just be used to keep women warm and beautiful. How vain are you. And, not ALL coral should be used to produce beautiful jewelry. So vain.
comment# 4 - ba · madison, usa · Oct 14, 2012 @ 1:44pm
so fast are some to TAKE all that is there thinking it is their right to do so. Wish we would have learned from presidents that shot buffalo and left it lay. Some boat from Spain with Christopher Columbus landed on a new land, he took what he could and left disease that with the two men killed everyone on the island. Sorry, this has nothing to do with the coral, it should be left to grow. Study it in place so others can see it.
comment# 5 - gusjc · SAINT FRANCIS, WI USA · Oct 14, 2012 @ 3:42pm
ALL MAN KIND HAS DONE IS DESTROY EVERYTHING IN THERE PATH ELECT IDDIOTS TO HOLD POSITIONS OF POWER AND TREAT OUR ELDERLY BADLY //WHEN WILL WE LERN //CORECTION //WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME //WE ARE DESTROYING OURSELVS BUT CAN ANY OF US SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY //I DOUBT IT MY HOPE IS SOMEONE WILL SURVIVE RESPECTFULLY YOURS ////EAB//TED
comment# 6 - TED · UK · Oct 14, 2012 @ 4:06pm
Oh boy..its a setup I tell ya
comment# 7 - melvin · dirtyfoot,usa · Oct 14, 2012 @ 5:26pm
animals are the true beautiful wonderous creations upon this planet and fools that thinkthat they should have any rights to sladder skin and wear their fablous skins should be fed to the animals that they fancy wearing to feel as beautiful as the animals actually do look.
comment# 8 - natures visitor · here,the world · Oct 15, 2012 @ 4:30am
What a small & uneducated minded person to say Coral is only for jewlery & animal fur to keep warm. This Eco-system will be here long after we are gone and we owe it to our children & Maker to cherish & take care of it. Thank you Lord for the wonders on this planet and of the universe.
comment# 9 - Ralph · Canton, GA USA · Oct 15, 2012 @ 5:32am
Don't feed the troll people. You're just making yourselves look guilable.
comment# 10 - N-F · Washington, NJ · Oct 15, 2012 @ 10:02am
we should feed you to the furry animals!
comment# 11 - c richardso · phx,az · Oct 15, 2012 @ 11:23am
Those who do not understand are the ones that hate nature's beauty and waste others time when the beauty should be admired and understood
comment# 12 - Cliff · USA · Oct 15, 2012 @ 3:01pm