Corals that walk: A fascinating adaptation to climate change
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 26, 2025, 11.03 AM IST
Imagine corals, those stationary creatures we associate with vibrant reefs, suddenly taking to the move. Sounds like science fiction, but it is real. A groundbreaking discovery has revealed that some coral species have developed the ability to "walk" across the ocean floor, migrating in search of more favorable conditions. This unique behavior is not just a marvel of nature but rather a smart survival strategy against increasing threats of climate change. When ocean temperatures are rising and bleaching reefs, these corals have managed an astonishing way of outsmarting the environmental challenges. In this article, we dive into this astonishing adaptation and what it might mean for the future of marine ecosystems. Get ready to be amazed by the resilience of nature.
A recent Queensland University of Technology study found the complex navigation capabilities of the coral and its ability to move toward light sources. The lead author, Dr. Brett Lewis, explains how the behavior of this free-moving coral differs from most other reef-dwelling species. As the oceans warm and bleaching affects the coral reefs, the capacity to move could give Cycloseris cyclolites a competitive edge. This is a great adaptation that could be the difference between survival or extinction for coral species in hostile marine environments.
A recent study has revealed the amazing migration capabilities of Cycloseris cyclolites, a species of free-living coral. High-resolution time-lapse imaging has revealed that these corals move by a mechanism called pulsed inflation, in which the coral inflates and deflates rhythmically, propelling itself forward. This movement is similar to that of jellyfish and serves several purposes: it helps the coral right itself when flipped, expel sediment after storms, and most notably, migrate toward more favorable conditions.
One of the most impressive findings of the study is the preference by corals towards blue light. Out of all exposed corals, 86.7% responded positively to blue light, with a wavelength prominent in deeper waters. Such sensitivity to light further propounds the high sense of navigation of these corals, thus making them seek favorable environments for survival and reproductive purposes, providing valuable insight into the adaptability of corals during global climate change.
It has been unprecedented, with rising ocean temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels, that challenges corals face. Warming waters trigger coral bleaching; corals are forced to expel algae, which is essential for nutrition, leaving the corals white and vulnerable. Without these algae, entire reef ecosystems suffer from the impact that marine species feel when they can no longer obtain food and shelter from the reefs. In addition, ocean acidification, caused by higher CO2 levels, also weakens corals' calcium carbonate skeletons to erosion and breakage.
Among these threats, the mobile coral species Cycloseris cyclolites may possess a critical survival advantage. Moving into deeper waters where blue light dominates, such corals may avoid bleaching and warming events that devastate stationary reef species. The movement of migratory corals such as Cycloseris cyclolites may provide scientists with insight into how such species will cope with climate change, with faster migration offering a better chance of survival in increasingly hostile marine environments.
Also Read: The mystery of cat bites : Why do they bite and how to respond
Walking corals: How a migrating species is adapting to climate change
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have found an extraordinary survival strategy used by the coral species Cycloseris cyclolites. Unlike most corals, which are sedentary, this free-living, solitary coral is capable of actively "walking" across the ocean floor, migrating toward better habitats. This surprising behavior has opened new insights into how corals may adapt to the changing environment caused by climate change.A recent Queensland University of Technology study found the complex navigation capabilities of the coral and its ability to move toward light sources. The lead author, Dr. Brett Lewis, explains how the behavior of this free-moving coral differs from most other reef-dwelling species. As the oceans warm and bleaching affects the coral reefs, the capacity to move could give Cycloseris cyclolites a competitive edge. This is a great adaptation that could be the difference between survival or extinction for coral species in hostile marine environments.
Walking corals and their fascinating light-sensitive migration
A recent study has revealed the amazing migration capabilities of Cycloseris cyclolites, a species of free-living coral. High-resolution time-lapse imaging has revealed that these corals move by a mechanism called pulsed inflation, in which the coral inflates and deflates rhythmically, propelling itself forward. This movement is similar to that of jellyfish and serves several purposes: it helps the coral right itself when flipped, expel sediment after storms, and most notably, migrate toward more favorable conditions.
One of the most impressive findings of the study is the preference by corals towards blue light. Out of all exposed corals, 86.7% responded positively to blue light, with a wavelength prominent in deeper waters. Such sensitivity to light further propounds the high sense of navigation of these corals, thus making them seek favorable environments for survival and reproductive purposes, providing valuable insight into the adaptability of corals during global climate change.
How migration helps corals survive climate change
It has been unprecedented, with rising ocean temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels, that challenges corals face. Warming waters trigger coral bleaching; corals are forced to expel algae, which is essential for nutrition, leaving the corals white and vulnerable. Without these algae, entire reef ecosystems suffer from the impact that marine species feel when they can no longer obtain food and shelter from the reefs. In addition, ocean acidification, caused by higher CO2 levels, also weakens corals' calcium carbonate skeletons to erosion and breakage.
Among these threats, the mobile coral species Cycloseris cyclolites may possess a critical survival advantage. Moving into deeper waters where blue light dominates, such corals may avoid bleaching and warming events that devastate stationary reef species. The movement of migratory corals such as Cycloseris cyclolites may provide scientists with insight into how such species will cope with climate change, with faster migration offering a better chance of survival in increasingly hostile marine environments.
Also Read: The mystery of cat bites : Why do they bite and how to respond