22/05/2020
Researchers from the University of Southampton have released research that has revealed that some corals produce bright colourful displays to retain and encourage the return of symbiotic algae during periods of ocean warming.
Professor Jorg Wiedenmann explained: "Our research shows colourful bleaching involves a self-regulating mechanism, a so-called optical feedback loop, which involves both partners of the symbiosis [the coral and the algae]. In healthy corals, much of the sunlight is taken up by the photosynthetic pigments of the algal symbionts. When corals lose their symbionts [the algae], the excess light travels back and forth inside the animal tissue, reflected by the white coral skeleton.
"However, if the coral cells can still carry out at least some of their normal functions, despite the environmental stress that caused bleaching, the increased internal light levels will boost the production of colourful, photoprotective pigments. The resulting sunscreen layer will subsequently promote the return of the [algae]."
Source:
A study finds corals are emitting colours in an attempt to draw back algae lost during higher temperatures.
