Scientists stunned to find corals that 'walk' towards light
Findings have implications for protecting corals threatened by climate change, researchers say
Vishwam Sankaran
Thursday 23 January 2025 11:28 GMT
A new study has found that the free-living mushroom coral responds to specific types of light by “walking” towards it, suggesting remarkable adaptability in the marine species.
Not all corals are attached to their seabed substrate, and some “free-living” species are known to migrate into preferred habitats.
But exactly how they move and navigate has remained a mystery.
The new study, published in the journal PLOS One, found that the small free-living mushroom coral Cycloseris cyclolites uses the movements of rolling, sliding or pulsing in pursuit of optimal light conditions.
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia used high-resolution time-lapse imaging to track mushroom corals as they were exposed to specific light wavelengths.
More:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/corals-walking-light-strange-behaviour-b2684906.html
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