Fossilized Coral (IMAGE)
Caption
The mutually beneficial relationship between algae and modern corals -- which provides algae with shelter, gives coral reefs their colors and supplies both organisms with nutrients -- began more than 210 million years ago, according to a new study. Evidence of symbiosis was detected in fossilized coral specimens (pictured) dating back to the late Triassic period. Today's coral reefs are under threat from warming sea temperatures that cause coral to expel algae in a process called coral bleaching.
Credit
Photo courtesy of Jaroslaw Stolarski, Polish Academy of Sciences
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Photo courtesy of Jaroslaw Stolarski, Polish Academy of Sciences
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