Coral Bleaching: More Zooxanthellae, More Problems

A recent report published in ScienceDaily discusses the relationship between amount of zooxanthellae in coral and their susceptibility to bleaching. The report headed by Ross Cunning of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science reveals that, contrary to popular belief, “corals with more algae bleached more severely than those with fewer algae.” Scientist used to think that corals with more zooxanthellae had “’more symbionts to lose,’” but Cunning and his team found the exact opposite to be true. Photo courtesy of sciencedaily.com Though scientists are still puzzled by the revelation, Andrew Baker, an associate professor at UM and co-author of the study, offers an explanation for the oddity saying, “Corals regulate their symbionts to match the environment in which they are found, and this study shows there is a real cost to having too many.” This study helps scientist to understand the effects of climate change on reefs, particularly those that are subject to greater temperature variations and pollution that can cause abnormal development of symbionts in coral.  Read more here!