Content-Length: 98044 | pFad | https://oceanportal.tumblr.com/tagged/mutualism
Five thousand feet (1,524 meters) beneath the sea in the Gulf of Mexico, an ancient, coral forest spreads across the seafloor. Among the branches of the deep sea corals are brittle stars, and it turns out these stars may play an important role in helping their coral companions.
One of the first signs of a sick coral reef is seaweed creeping across the corals, stealing their precious sunny real estate. Healthy corals, however, aren’t completely hopeless: small fishes help eat away the seaweed.
But how do corals contact the fish to ask for cleaning services? By sending out a chemical signal, according to new research. Read the story of how corals call their fishy bodyguards.
(via When Attacked, Corals Send Out Chemical Signal to Recruit Bodyguard Fish | Surprising Science)
sarahmackattack
bears-official
@squidscientistas any idea who this boy is or Whunt he may be doing? Mike Vecchione’s got nothin, other than “the most bizarre squid I’ve ever seen…”
(Okeanos is diving on an unexplored seamount in the Gulf of Mexico until ~4pm CDT, follow along here)
Man if Mike doesn’t know, nobody knows! Seriously, I saw this thing and my jaw dropped. So cool, so bizarre!!! It’s been a good day for cephalopods!
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