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Viruses linked to algae that control coral health

Nature Scientists have discovered two viruses that appear to infect the single-celled microalgae that reside in corals and are important for coral growth and health, and they say the viruses could play a role in the serious decline of coral ecosystems around the world. These viruses, including an RNA virus never before isolated from a coral, have been shown for the first time to clearly be associated with these microalgae called Symbiodinium. If Read more...

Study identifies molecules used by certain species of seaweed to harm corals

Nature Related images(click to enlarge) (Credit: E.H. Hay) (Credit: M.E. Hay) (Credit: D.B. Rasher) Scientists for the first time have identified and mapped the chemical structure of molecules used by certain species of marine seaweed to kill or inhibit the growth of reef-building coral. Chemicals found on the surfaces of several species of seaweed have been shown to harm coral, suggesting that competition with these macroalgae could be a Read more...

Weed-eating fish ‘key to reef survival’

Preserving an intact population of weed-eating fish may be vital to saving the world’s coral reefs from being engulfed by weed as human and climate impacts grow. A new study by researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies has found weed-eaters like parrotfish and surgeonfish can only keep coral reefs clear of weed up to a point. After the weeds reach a certain density, they take over entirely and the coral is lost. Read more...