[ad_1]
For the first time in world history, the aquarium in Tampa, Florida has successfully reproduced cactus coral in human care.
Corals are just one of a variety of species rescued from Florida waters by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and NOAA Fisheries after the state’s coral reefs began to experience a major disease outbreak that started in 2014.
Scientists are now caring for the rescued adult coral colonies to reproduce and reproduce them in hopes of one day restoring the reefs once the disease is gone. While breeding these species, scientists discover basic information about their biology for the first time, such as when they have babies or what their larvae are like.
“We are losing coral species faster than we can learn about them,” Keri O’Neil, senior coral scientist at the Florida Aquarium, told CNN.
“This breakthrough is really exciting; we are still learning new and basic things that you would think we have known for hundreds of years. It’s just that people have never worked with this species before and now that we have the opportunity to work with these corals in the laboratory, we’re going to find out a lot more about them. “
Before this discovery, very little information was known about how coral cacti reproduce. No photos, videos or published studies of the species’ reproductive biology were ever taken until aquarium scientists successfully reproduced them while capturing the “birth” on video.
The reproduction process
The crested cactus corals are incubating corals, which means that they reproduce, only their sperm, not the eggs, are released into the water. Eggs are fertilized and larval development occurs within the original coral.
The parent corals “spit out” the little baby coral, which immediately begins swimming until they find a perfect spot on the reef where they remain for the rest of their lives. After witnessing corals “give birth” for the first time, scientists discovered that the larvae of this species are the largest they have ever seen.
The corals began spawning, or giving birth, in early April, and they still have babies more than a week later. So far, more than 350 coral babies have been released.
The next step, O’Neil said, is to find out how long the larvae swim before settling down and becoming an adult coral. This is important because knowing how far they can travel will shed light on how mixed coral reef populations really are.
“Preserving and rescuing wildlife from extinction is our primary business focus and scientific advancements that have a direct impact on protecting and restoring our natural environment is why we exist,” said Roger Germann, President and CEO of Florida Aquarium, to CNN.
“Healthy coral reefs are vital to the survival and quality of life of humans and animals, especially here in Florida and throughout the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. We believe it is our responsibility to prevent the reef tract from Florida disappear. “
Participating in ‘Coral Project’
Unlike the natural reproduction of cactus corals, the Coral Project uses advanced LED technology and computer control systems to mimic the coral’s natural environment to subtly signal corals to reproduce.
As scientists continue to rescue and breed corals, more questions about these mysterious creatures will continue to be answered.
“And just think, a solution to the next pandemic or human disease could be discovered from a healthy coral reef,” Germann said.
