PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Hidden diversity of coral more important for conservation than previously thought

Researchers say that our framework for classifying coral species needs to be expanded to capture ecological diversity and protect reef environments

Hidden diversity of coral more important for conservation than previously thought
2021-04-02
(Press-News.org) SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 2, 2021) -- In recent years, advancements in DNA sequencing have exposed a large amount of hidden diversity in reef-building corals: species that appear identical to one another but are genetically distinct. Typically ignored as they are invisible to the naked eye, a team of researchers at the California Academy of Sciences and The University of Queensland, along with over a dozen international collaborators, is taking a more holistic approach to understand these hidden species by investigating overlooked ecological differences that have wide-ranging implications for the vulnerability and resilience of reef-building corals. The team hopes that their findings, published today in Current Biology, will lead to a more nuanced consideration of coral diversity, that incorporates more aspects than appearance alone, to drive more strategic conservation planning.

"We know we are greatly underestimating the true number of coral species because of this hidden diversity," says lead author and Academy Curator Pim Bongaerts. "In our study, we provide one of the first clear examples of how coral species that look identical can be very different in terms of their ecology and physiology, from when they reproduce to what depths they prefer. This means that our current framework for classifying reef-building corals based primarily on morphology is limiting our ability to understand and protect them."

By conducting one of the most extensive genomic studies of a coral species to date, which involved obtaining DNA samples from more than 1,400 individuals, the researchers began their study by discovering that the "serpent coral" (Pachyseris speciosa)--one of the most widespread corals across the Indo-Pacific--is actually four different species that evolved millions of years ago. To their surprise, these species were indistinguishable from each other, even at a microscopic level, sparking the researchers to take it a step further and look for ecological differences that may have been missed when they were thought to be one species.

Using remotely-operated vehicles and specialized deep diving gear, the researchers investigated corals from shallow depths down to 80 meters beneath the surface--into the vastly understudied mesophotic zone of coral reefs. They discovered that although individuals from each species could be found over the entire range of depths, they had distinct depths where they were most abundant, with corresponding differences in physiological traits such as protein content that affect their ability to survive and thrive at their preferred depths.

"Knowing what corals thrive where and at which depths is crucial for reef conservation," says study co-author at The University of Queensland Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg. "Most marine protected areas only protect shallow reefs, which means that hidden species at mesophotic depths are being overlooked by current conservation strategies. We need to give this gap in protection some further thought."

Besides the physiological and depth differences, the research team also developed a rapid DNA test to be able to identify these species in the field and monitor their reproduction. They discovered that there were differences between the species in the timing of broadcast spawning--the mechanism whereby environmental cues trigger an entire population of corals to synchronously release their gametes. This staggered spawning may provide an explanation for the lack of interbreeding between the species (a common occurrence for many corals) despite living side-by-side on the reef.

"For years we have asked ourselves about the relevance of this hidden diversity, wondering if we are missing something important," says Academy researcher and study co-author Alejandra Hernández-Agreda. "By using all of the tools at our disposal to analyze not just the morphology, but all these other aspects of these species as well, we now show how this hidden diversity can mask major differences in these species that could translate to their ability to cope with the rapidly changing conditions of our world's oceans."

Ultimately, the researchers hope that their findings reveal the importance of taking a holistic approach to understanding these hidden species that appear identical, but may be harboring key differences that impact global conservation efforts.

"At a moment when reefs around the world are experiencing rapid degradation," Bongaerts says, "it is critical to start capturing this hidden diversity--not only of species, but of how they live and function--to improve our understanding and ability to protect these fragile ecosystems."

INFORMATION:

About Research at the California Academy of Sciences The Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences is at the forefront of efforts to understand two of the most important topics of our time: the nature and sustainability of life on Earth. Based in San Francisco, the Institute is home to more than 100 world-class scientists, state-of-the-art facilities, and nearly 46 million scientific specimens from around the world. The Institute also leverages the expertise and efforts of more than 100 international Associates and 450 distinguished Fellows. Through expeditions around the globe, investigations in the lab, and analysis of vast biological datasets, the Institute's scientists work to understand the evolution and interconnectedness of organisms and ecosystems, the threats they face around the world, and the most effective strategies for sustaining them into the future. Through innovative partnerships and public engagement initiatives, they also guide critical sustainability and conservation decisions worldwide, inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists, and foster responsible stewardship of our planet.


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Hidden diversity of coral more important for conservation than previously thought

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Experiences of a health system's employees during COVID-19

2021-04-02
What The Study Did: This survey study examined the career development, productivity, childcare needs and likelihood of leaving the workforce among employees at an academic medical center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authors: Angela Fagerlin, Ph.D., of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3997) Editor's Note: The article includes conflicts of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding ...

Racial, ethnic differences among children enrolled in HMOs

2021-04-02
What The Study Did: Researchers compared rates of health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollment, by race and ethnicity, for children with commercial and public coverage with the use of national survey data. Authors: Alon Peltz, M.D., M.B.A., M.H.S., of Harvard Medical School in Boston, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.4162) Editor's Note: The article includes conflicts of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional ...

US deaths normally change less than 2% each year; in 2020, they rose nearly 23%

US deaths normally change less than 2% each year; in 2020, they rose nearly 23%
2021-04-02
Extended surges in the South and West in the summer and early winter of 2020 resulted in regional increases in excess death rates, both from COVID-19 and from other causes, a 50-state analysis of excess death trends has found. Virginia Commonwealth University researchers' latest study notes that Black Americans had the highest excess death rates per capita of any racial or ethnic group in 2020. The research, publishing Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, offers new data from the last 10 months of 2020 on how many Americans died during 2020 as a result of the effects of the pandemic -- beyond the number of COVID-19 deaths alone -- and which states and racial groups were hit hardest. The rate of excess deaths -- or deaths above the number that ...

Most US adults who vape want to quit, study finds

Most US adults who vape want to quit, study finds
2021-04-02
More than 60% of U.S. adults who vape are interested in quitting, according to a study published today in JAMA Network Open by MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers. And among those who vape to help them to quit smoking, some are successful while others continue smoking and using electronic cigarettes. The study, which analyzed longitudinal survey data from more than 30,000 adults across the country, aimed to provide the most up-to-date estimate of how many Americans are interested in stopping their use of e-cigarettes or have made past attempts to quit. According to the findings, former cigarette smokers had the highest intentions and interest in quitting. This is likely due to an increasing number of smokers using e-cigarettes to transition away from cigarettes, said the study's authors. While ...

Excess deaths from COVID-19 and other causes in US

2021-04-02
What The Study Did: This study updates an analysis of deaths in the United States in 2020, including deaths due to COVID-19 as well as all other causes. Authors: Steven H. Woolf, M.D., M.P.H., of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jama.2021.5199) Editor's Note: The article includes funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other ...

Radicalization to extremist ideologies is often triggered by negative life events

2021-04-02
People who radicalize to extremist ideologies often are triggered by negative life events or exposure to propaganda, and those who escape from extreme groups frequently are aided by an individual or group that intervenes to help them reject the philosophy, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Expanding access to mental health care, creating opportunities for exposure to diverse cultural groups and media literacy education all are important strategies that may aid the battle against extremism, according to researchers. However, harsh law enforcement actions often are unproductive in changing people's extremist beliefs. The RAND study describes personal accounts based on interviews ...

Fungi could manipulate bacteria to enrich soil with nutrients

Fungi could manipulate bacteria to enrich soil with nutrients
2021-04-02
ITHACA, NY, April 2, 2021 - A team of researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) has discovered a distinct group of bacteria that may help fungi and plants acquire soil nutrients. The findings could point the way to cost-effective and eco-friendly methods of enriching soil and improving crop yields, reducing farmers' reliance on conventional fertilizers. Researchers know that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish symbiotic relationships with the roots of 70% of all land plants. In this relationship, plants trade fatty acids for the fungi's nitrogen and phosphorus. However, AM fungi lack the ...

How pathogenic bacteria weather the slings and arrows of infection

How pathogenic bacteria weather the slings and arrows of infection
2021-04-02
Infectious diseases are a leading cause of global mortality. During an infection, bacteria experience many different stresses -- some from the host itself, some from co-colonizing microbes and others from therapies employed to treat the infection. In this arms race to outwit their competition, bacteria have evolved mechanisms to stay alive in the face of adversities. One such mechanism is the stringent response pathway. Understanding how the activation of the stringent response pathway is controlled can provide clues to treat infection. In new research published this week online in the journal END ...

Lanternfly's attraction to vertical silhouettes could help monitor, trap it

Lanternflys attraction to vertical silhouettes could help monitor, trap it
2021-04-02
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Like moths to a flame, spotted lanternflies are visually drawn toward and seemingly captivated by vertical objects such as utility poles, a behavior that could be valuable in predicting where the pests might be heading, according to entomologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Research from the laboratory of Tom Baker, recently published in the Journal of Insect Behavior, is laying the foundation for future strategies to monitor and possibly trap the invasive insect from Asia, which first was found in North America in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. The planthopper now is confirmed in 34 Pennsylvania counties and several surrounding states. These findings show that telephone poles attract flight-dispersing ...

Toddler TV time not to blame for attention problems

2021-04-02
Acomprehensive review published in the journal Psychological Science re-examines previous work that claimed to show a direct link between early screen time and attention problems in children. Although other studies do not reflect these findings, the earlier research continues to be widely reported by the media. "The findings from the original study, upon further scrutiny, are not borne out. We found that there is still no evidence that TV, by itself, causes ADHD or any kind of attention problems in young children," said Wallace E. Dixon, Jr., a professor of psychology ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Two scientific researchers to receive 2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health

Researchers improve chemical reaction that underpins products from foods to fuels

Texas Tech to develop semiconductor power devices through $6 million grant

Novel genomic screening tool enables precision reverse-engineering of genetic programming in cells

Hot Schrödinger cat states created

How cells repair their power plants

Oxygen is running low in inland waters—and humans are to blame

ACP’s Best Practice Advice addresses use of cannabis, cannabinoids for chronic noncancer pain

Beyond photorespiration: A systematic approach to unlocking enhanced plant productivity

How a small number of mutations can fuel outbreaks of western equine encephalitis virus

Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions

Research uncovers hidden spread of one of the most common hospital-associated infections

Many older adults send their doctors portal messages, but who pays?

Fine particulate matter from 2020 California wildfires and mental health–related emergency department visits

Gender inequity in institutional leadership roles in US academic medical centers

Pancreatic cells ‘remember’ epigenetic precancerous marks without genetic sequence mutations

Rare combination of ovarian tumors found in one patient

AI-driven clinical recommendations may aid physician decision making to improve quality of care

Artificial intelligence has potential to aid physician decisions during virtual urgent care

ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine present breaking scientific news at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2025

New study reveals polymers with flawed fillers boost heat transfer in plastics

Signs identified that precede sudden arrhythmic death syndrome in young people

Discovery of bacteria's defence against viruses becomes a piece of the puzzle against resistance

Pre-eclampsia is associated with earlier onset and higher incidence of cardiovascular risk factors

Warwick astronomers discover doomed pair of spiralling stars on our cosmic doorstep

Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in world’s megastorm hotspots

NK cells complexed with bispecific antibody yield high response rates in patients with lymphoma

Planetary health diet and mediterranean diet associated with similar survival and sustainability benefits

Singapore launches national standard to validate antimicrobial disinfectant products

Molecular stool test could improve detection of tuberculosis in adults with HIV

[Press-News.org] Hidden diversity of coral more important for conservation than previously thought
Researchers say that our framework for classifying coral species needs to be expanded to capture ecological diversity and protect reef environments