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Zooxanthellae alternate between life phases expressed as cysts and as motile organisms in the water column. [14] [15] In zooxanthellae of the genus Gymnodinium, one possible life cycle of the cell begins as an immature cyst which reaches maturity then divides to form an immature cyst once more. Once growing into an older cell, it becomes no ...
The zooxanthellae are photosynthetic, and as the water temperature rises, they begin to produce reactive oxygen species. [2] This is toxic to the coral, so the coral expels the zooxanthellae. [2] Since the zooxanthellae produce the majority of coral colouration, the coral tissue becomes transparent, revealing the coral skeleton made of calcium ...
Zoanthids feed both by photosynthesis, aided by the zooxanthellae they contain, and by capturing plankton and particulate matter. Although photosynthesis aids in their nutrition, even species that do not actively capture plankton cannot live through photosynthesis alone. [ 24 ]
Symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae are sometimes colloquially referred to as Zooxanthellae, though the latter term can be interpreted to include other families of symbiotic algae as well. [7] While many Symbiodiniaceae species are endosymbionts, others are free living in the water column or sediment.
The acidity of the water will slowly dissolve the leftover coral skeletons, essentially damaging the structural integrity of the coral reef. There are many organisms that also rely on the algae and zooxanthellae for their main source of food. Therefore, organisms in the bleached coral reef are forced to leave in search of new food sources ...
If sea water temperatures rise, conditions may becomes stressful for the corals, and they may expel their zooxanthellae. This process is known as coral bleaching as, without their symbionts, the corals are white. [2] Durusdinium trenchii is a stress-tolerant species, a generalist able to form mutualistic relationships with many species of coral ...
Conservation status for warm-water reef-building corals was analysed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. 44% of warm-water coral species facing extinction ...
The sponge is a filter feeder and feeds on the bacteria and dissolved organic matter it removes from the water passing through its tissues. The presence of the coral obstructs the inflow of water. Some sponges produce anti-fouling compounds which they release into the surrounding water to try to prevent other organisms colonizing their surface. [5]