An international research collaboration including the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), supported by the ARC, has made a chance discovery that puts an entirely new perspective on the ecology of the microscopic plants that help drive coral reef formation. The research—led by scientists from the University of Aveiro (UA), Portugal, and including UTS coral specialist and ARC Future Fellow, Associate Professor, David Suggett—found that symbiotic microalgae form calcified structures outside their coral hosts and could act as ‘safe-houses’ for the free-living form of the microalgae. Remarkably, the team had been studying the physiology and life cycle of the free-living stage of the microalgae ‘Symbiodinium’ for years when, to their surprise, they discovered novel structures, later called ‘symbiolites’, in their cultures. Associate Professor Suggett believes this discovery may offer additional insight into how coral reefs could be hugely affected by climate, particularly ocean acidification.
Media issued by the University of Technology Sydney.
