Natural History Wanderings

Monga Bay

• A new study finds that a coral-associated damselfish may help hasten the healing of wounded corals.
• The research showed a 55% faster recovery rate from larger coral wounds in the presence of damselfish, and a 38% faster rate of healing for smaller wounds.
• Algae living within wounded corals exhibited decreased photosynthetic efficiency, an energy source vital to coral healing, when damselfish were absent.
• Scientists say the findings could inform conservation management plans, focusing more attention on preserving fish habitats to better protect corals.

Read more at Damselfish-assisted repair of wounded corals surprises scientists