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Vibrantly colorful coral revealed as a last-ditch survival response - Inverse

Vibrantly colorful coral revealed as a last-ditch survival response - Inverse

Vibrantly colorful coral revealed as a last-ditch survival response - Inverse
May 21, 2020 53 secs

When coral is healthy, algae live in its cells as part of a symbiotic relationship: The corals provide shelter and nutrients while the algae harness energy with photosynthetic powers.

So while the color of coral typically exists because algae live inside the coral's cells, in this case, the coral itself makes the glowing pigment.

"As the recovering algal population starts taking up the light for their photosynthesis again, the light levels inside the coral will drop and the coral cells will lower the production of the colorful pigments to their normal level," Wiedenmann said in a statement.

This colorful reaction can be seen in coral reefs across the world, including the Great Barrier Reef — the world's largest coral reef.

What's bad for corals is bad for the ocean — Since coral reefs are hotbeds of biodiversity, keeping them intact is important to preserving many of the world's marine animals and plants.

The authors of the new study say they're encouraged by the colorful coral bleaching because it suggests some patches of reef have a better chance of recovery.

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