This long, slender oarfish washed ashore the beaches of Catalina Island, California. The giant fish was noted to be between 14 to 17 feet long. Two conservationists were said to have found the fish while doing morning bird breeding surveys along Catalina Island. It is indeed a rare find because oarfish are deep sea creatures that reside at depths of over 1000 feet. They have been known to reach up to 50 feet in length. However, not much else is known about these mysterious creatures because by the time they are found they are usually sick, dying or dead. These are the creatures that most likely spawned the ancient tales of sea serpents, monsters and dragons. MORE… More:

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embedded content Good afternoon all, sorry about the very late start. Today we had Philippe Cousteau, grandson of the World famous Jacques Cousteau stop by with his film crew and ended up spending half the day with us doing a story on the sub. I’ll post more on this fun event later….. Weeks ago, maybe even a month a close friend who does not dive was asking how often do I ever see an octopus or a squid shoot out ink as a defense???? Good question.

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Fisher Island, Government & Norris Cuts A Nursery Solution: The Deep Dredge of Government Cut has caused significant coral stress and mortality on the corals and reefs in and around Miami… including wide areas that the Army Corps predicted would not be affected. In particular, the dredging at PortMiami has resulted in vast sediment plumes that arc around the south-side of Fisher Island and out through Norris Cut where federally protected elkhorn corals are suffering. As mitigation against this coral die-off and stress, Coral Morphologic proposes the construction of an ‘urban coral research nursery’ along the edge of South Pointe Park where the public can be directly engaged with the marine ecosystem of Miami. This coral nursery will be built primarily to house and grow fragments from the variety of Acropora corals living around Fisher Island. The coral nursery will be a proactive mitigation response to a shameful coral transplantation effort on Fisher Island and the siltation-related mortality of coral around Miami. In order to test the resilience of these Fisher Island Acropora corals, it is imperative that these colonies are grown and cloned into as many individual colonies as possible. Not only will this allow for exhaustive in-situ research projects, but it will also result in additional fragments useful for restoring reefs around Miami after the Deep Dredge is completed. Because the Fisher Island Acropora corals are so unique, the only way to properly test their resilience is to fragment them repeatedly over time to create enough cloned test subjects. Because the hybrid Acropora corals are not conferred federal protection, their clones are ideally suited for life in educational public aquarium reef displays around the globe where they will become fluorescent icons of adaptation and resilience for both Miami and coral-kind. Coral Morphologic proposes that such a coral nursery should be deployed just inside Government Cut along South Pointe Park which provides ideal water conditions for growing all of the Miami’s ‘urban coral’ species; especially the Fisher Island Acropora corals. The South Pointe coral nursery will provide coral biologists with a low-cost, easily-accessible platform in which to pursue unique coral research projects that only Miami affords. Close access to land-based electrical and internet infrastructure will allow an array of tools that offshore nurseries can’t count on such as 24/7 live streaming underwater web cameras, flow meters, and water chemistry monitoring probes. A continuous stream of open-access data on the water quality moving into and out of Biscayne Bay with every tide will be necessary to provide the City with the most accurate information possible in which to predict future sea level rise and pollution. Furthermore, the addition of interactive signage will engage and educate citizens and tourists about the overlooked marine ecology of Miami Beach. This coral nursery project will cost in the tens of thousands of dollars and require a long list of permits and permissions from agencies at the city, county, state, and federal level. While the levels of bureaucratic protection for corals are meant to be helpful, it also presents considerable roadblocks for those wishing to cultivate them for restoration and research. While an initial $10,000 Accelerator Grant from the Miami Foundation has kickstarted the planning process in earnest, we will be requiring more grant funding and donations to complete the project. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the project via the Coral Morphologic Fund managed by the Miami Foundation. We look forward to updating everyone on this project as we move forward to grow the rare and resilient ‘urban corals’ of Miami and Fisher Island! Tags: Coral Morphologic, Fisher Island, Miami This entry was posted on Thursday, May 21st, 2015 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Finding the right time, place and circumstances to observe the formation of a new island is pretty difficult. For one, it just doesn’t happen very often. It may occur in an inaccessible area. And, conditions in the water may quite dangerous. We recently reported on research of a newly formed island off of the coast of Japan. Now, researchers and videographers have been granted yet another such opportunity with volcanic events taking place beneath the Red Sea. A pair of six-mile-long and half-mile-wide troughs in the Earth’s crust have been spewing magma–creating new land–for weeks after a powerful submarine eruption. The result is a fresh land mass in the Zubair archipelago near Yemen. Scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology of Saudi Arabia used satellite and video data to monitor the volcanic activity. The new islands have been given the names Sholan Island and Jadid Island. However, they won’t last very long–at least on a geological scale of time. Even the relatively mild wave action of the Red Sea is capable of causing considerable erosion. Judging from the rates observed in this area, both islands are expected to be leveled within a few hundred years. To view video and satellite imagery of the two islands published in Nature Communications please visit: http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150526/ncomms8104/full/ncomms8104.html.… More:

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embedded content Hi boys and girls, I have a short but fun clip for you all today of a beautiful 16 inch scrawled filefish that I found out on the reef a few hours ago. You may have to watch this on Youtube as it’s so small, here is the link…. https://youtu.be/gMuijO-net8 Check out the sharp spine on top of it’s head, this can be raised or lowered depending on how worried he or she is and as you can see he or she is a bit concerned. This ultra cool fish like so many others can change colors in the blink of eye, it’s truly one of the top coolest fish in the Caribbean sea. Have a great day..

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We spend a lot of time talking about the intersection of reefs and the art world, and this photo is a great example of something near and dear to any reef aquarist, encrusting corals.  As many people know, encrusting corals typically have very fast horizontal growth rates and demonstrate very interesting patterns and formations when left to grow on flat objects like tiles and discs.  But what happens when you give the coral a head start by growing it onto an actual 3D object?  This skeleton encrusted with Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is a great example of how to take your typical underwater decoration and make it into something entirely new.  Having gone through the process a few times with Moai statues, it is only for people who have great patience, but the rewards are striking in their appearance.  If you decide to try your hand at this process, make sure you give the object plenty of room, having another coral sting your piece mid-growth can set you back an entire year.  Also be sure to pick a coral that has a high growth rate or you will be waiting forever.  Lastly, definitely pick a coral that does not typically plate out when it grows as this will create a shadow and prevent your piece from being completely encrusted.  Have you ever done this yourself?  Drop us a note in the comments and tell us how you did it!… More:

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To this day, a mere 15% of the ocean bottom has been mapped. Recently, a team of researchers from the United States-supported National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has obtained a wealth of astonishingly clear video footage while mapping the ocean floor off of the Puerto Rican coast. Using a remotely-operated vehicle in water depths as great as 7,000 meters, NOAA scientists were able to capture images of many animals formerly not known to exist. The Puerto Rico Trench includes the deepest regions of the Atlantic Ocean. Water depths here are nearly as deep as those in the Pacific, extending as far as 8,400 meters.  Under strong supplemental lighting, the subjects in the video appear as crisply as they would in five feet of clear water. The impressive video footage obtained during these expeditions features 50 species of deepwater coral, over a hundred species of fish and several hundred invertebrate species in their natural environment. Included amongst the new species are a presumed jellyfish and several fishes. These 12 dives only completed a part of the project, the first leg of a 52-day expedition; much more work will be done, and many more discoveries may be made. To view highlights taken from the footage, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEjU6RhoSGU.… More:

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  Today I’d like to share with you an update on my baby micro-propogated coral.  I first posted about these two and a half months ago, and I’m impressed with how much they’ve grown since then. 

From 2 Polyps to 14 Polyps, in 10 weeks.

 The two-polyp Astroturf Goniopora I posted about 10 weeks ago has seen a 700% increase in number of polyps, and is now triple its original overall size. It began as a tiny bit of skeleton tissue left over from fragging.   Micro-propagation can be challenging, since the smaller a coral is, the more fragile and vunerable; even (normally) beneficial coralline algae can attack and smother a tiny coral, one big bite from a hungry tang or emerald crab could mean disaster. I honestly did not expect all of the coral I featured to survive, since mortality can be quite high, but I’m happy to report that they have not only survived but thrived! You can refer back to my original posting if you’d like to compare sizes: https://www.reefs.com/blog/2015/03/18/goniopora-micro-propagation/ 

Two rapidly growing Euphyllia babies.

   I also have been working with quite a bit of Euphyllia, and am micro-propagating them to eventually sell, this is the first time that I am relying on this method for the bulk of propagation. My original success with micro-propagating them, and their subsequent growth, shows that this a viable technique for large scale aquaculture.     

From barely one polyp to 35+

   One of the more outstanding growth rates can be seen on this red and yellow Goniopora stutchburyi. It started out as a one polyp mini-chunk of tissue, and is now well on its way to being a full-fledged colony. Every piece of coral tissue has the potential to become a new colony. With enough care, they can grow and thrive, and will provide a rewarding propagation experience.… More:

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While this story isn’t about a sea turtle, the plight of the survival of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle must be told. There is only one known female Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle left in the world. The female was placed in a tank with a male, one of the only three males left of the species, at a zoo in China. Scientists were hopeful the two would naturally procreate. Although she became pregnant, the eggs were nonviable. The scientists really went all for saving the species, as the 100 year old male turtle proved difficult to arouse. The scientists attempted stimulating the 100 year old male hand, vibrator and where finally successful using a vibrator, to obtain the semen. The semen was successfully artificially inseminated in the female, and eggs began to form. It is too early to tell if the species will be saved through this attempt. Scientists are hopeful this attempt will produce children, as the female will soon be removed to her home zoo this fall. MORE… More:

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The residents of New York have witnessed horrible fish kills for the past two months, the pictures resemble something out of a horror movie. Last April, hundred’s of dead sea turtles washed ashore along Riverhead, New York. This week, thousands of fish have washed up along the Peconic River and Flanders Bay. Scientists believe the fish deaths are due to algal blooms, fed by elevated levels of nitrogen. Suffolk County has seen rapid growth in the past thirty years, without the proper infrastructure to support it. Most residents use outdated system of septic tanks, which cause the high levels of nitrogen. Fertilizers, used in the regions famous winery vineyards, also lead to excess nitrogen. As the nitrogen levels rise, the fish have to compete for oxygen with the algal blooms. With oxygen levels dropping to zero, this is a losing battle. It is a very sad situation and a clear reminder of how important lowering pollution levels in our ever growing world is. Suffolk County is attempting to make changes. It has released a water management plan, which identifies nitrogen as ‘public water enemy number 1′. Scientists expect more fish will die this summer, if the nitrogen levels remain the same. Suffolk County has started a nearly 400 million dollar expansion of the sewer system, to reduce the reliance on septic tanks. Unfortunately, the nitrogen damage has already effected the waterways, and will take a long time to remedy. This is just another sad example of the need to control pollution, and the alarming damage it can cause our waterways.  MORE… More:

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Between the years 2009 and 2014, 760 live dolphins were sold from the infamous town of Taiji, where the documentary the Cove was filmed. Nearly half of those dolphins were exported to approximately twelve different countries. Around 60 percent of the dolphins were exported to China, with Ukraine, South Korea and Russia the next top countries for dolphin exports. Thailand, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Tunisia, Philippines and the United States of America all received Taiji dolphins. The cost of a Taiji dolphin is approximately $8000 each. While many supporters of the Taiji hunt claim that it is a tradition to hunt the dolphin and whale meat, going back centuries. Opponents argue that there is little demand for mercury driven dolphin meat, and that the sale of live dolphins actually keeps the ‘hunt’ viable. The World Association of Zoo’s and Aquarium’s pressured Japan’s Zoos and Aquariums to stop using the Taiji dolphins, however, the export of the dolphins to other countries also must be addressed. MORE… More:

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Figure 3 of Tye et al. 2015, illustrating the relatively reduced rates of photosynthesis and calcification in the Caribbean coral Orbicella spp. (Formerly Montastraea spp.) infected by S. trenchii.

Tye Pettay and Todd LaJeunesse at Pennsylvania State University in University Park and others have published new work that does some unique finger-pointing. The genetic lineages of Symbiodinium trenchii from the Indo-Pacific have opportunistically invaded Caribbean species of symbiotic corals. This invasion is a double edged sword that may simultaneously place Caribbean corals infected “X steps forward and Y steps back”. The S. trenchii zooxanthella, as mentioned above, is an Indo-Pacific species, and it is known for its ability to thrive in coral colonies that live in the margins of their survival ranges. The species is well documented for maintaining photosynthetic rates within its host at temperatures where other zooxanthellae species begin to shut down and lose a grip on population. Of further interest, once conditions recover, S. trenchii is often displaced by the former, native zooxanthellae. The mechanism for this “recovery” is unknown. With this context in mind: in 2005, significant and widespread bleaching and die-back of stony corals in the Eastern Caribbean coincided with a mass infection of Caribbean corals with the S. trenchii zooxanthella. Tye et al. examine the population genetic diversity of these Caribbean S. trenchii and find, indeed, that they are invaders. It turns out that when West Pacific and Eastern Indian corals are examined, they each tended to have unique strains of S. trenchii, even when only 10 km apart. The Caribbean told an entirely different story, however. Corals were found to contain very few strains across the entire basin. One single genotype comprised as many as 42% of all samples analyzed, and was found in every location sampled in the Greater Caribbean region, with the exception of the Gulf of Mexico. So what’s the big deal? Well the good news is that the species does allow photosynthesis to be maintained in specimens that may otherwise be lost to bleaching and other stressor-related mortality. The bad news is that the S. trenchii zooxanthella reduces calcification rates in host organisms dramatically… by as much as 50%. The population genetics of these invaders mean that they are an isolated, introduced organism. Where in the Pacific, S. trenchii is regarded as a highly important coral species diversifier in the Pacific over the last ~2.5 million years, in the Atlantic, it appears a limited number of strains were “dumped” there as recently as decades ago.… More:

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At one time, Deep Creek Lake Maryland, where I live, was a thriving real estate mecca. Being situated close to Washington, DC, northern Virginia and Baltimore, it became a playground and second home for the affluent who had grown tired of the stressful living conditions their urban homes offered. Even though I entered real estate sales late in the game, the market was still booming and housing prices were so high, you only had to sell a handful of lake homes per year to make a comfortable salary. As the housing crisis swept the country, the local market became flooded with inventory and slowly the whole industry came to a halt. As I see the numerous coral vendors popping up everywhere, I wonder if the same thing isn’t happening in the reef aquarium world. The market is flooding and so many vendors exist, it’s getting hard to tell the good guys from the bad. Is this just modernization of the industry, based around the 21^st century, ultra-connected marketplace and is it good, or bad for reef aquarists. What is a coral vendor? The term “coral vendor” has changes a lot over the years. Once, it was simply a local fish store (LFS) that occasionally got in a coral, or gorgonian and sold it for whatever they could get. Back then, no one really knew how to keep these animals alive long-term, but we liked decorating our tanks with them, the same way you decorate a kitchen table with fresh cut flowers. Then upper-end fish outlets started carrying corals, and offering advice on how to keep them long term. They also started carrying very high output fluorescent lights, along with power compacts and metal halides as they came along. It wasn’t long till you could buy corals here and there, right off the internet. 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 Today, there are many aqua-culture outlets that cater to coral enthusiasts. Nearly all ship their livestock all over the world, and I would argue that the internet is the best place to snag beautiful corals. I’ve done business, at one time or another, with most of them. Some of these facilities have pioneered the expansion of captive grown coral species and along the way, helped propagate many popular color morphs of beloved corals. Most modern day coral vendors focus on corals. While they may carry a few fish, most of their stock is reef safe and takes a backseat to diverse coral life.… More:

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Credit: H. McDonald & Science

 The evolutionary history of corals is a fascinating subject, recounting one of the oldest lineages of multicellular animal life. This story is full of mistaken identities, uncertain affinities, and exciting, new discoveries. It’s also a tale of extinctions and near-extinctions, and of adaptations and diversifications through the ever changing history of our planet. To begin our journey through coral evolution, let’s go all the way back to the origins of multicellular animals to gain a better perspective of the place of stony corals in the history of life on earth.  By studying the rate of mutations in the genetic code of extant (=living) groups, scientists can extrapolate backwards to determine when any two organisms last shared a common genetic code (i.e. their last common ancestor). This method, termed the “molecular clock”, gives a rough estimate ranging from 700-1000 million years ago for the origins of the first metazoan (=multicellular) animals. There is a long gap in the fossil record from this presumed molecular origin and the appearance of the first definitive fossil evidence; this is to be expected given the absurd odds of anything from this period becoming fossilized, surviving a billion years of geologic destruction, and ultimately being discovered and identified. The recently described sponge, Eocyathispongia, known from 585 million year old rocks of the Ediacaran period, is the oldest known fossil that can be definitively identified as a metazoan. There are older fossils, but they are far more ambiguous in their interpretation. The next 40 million years offers a scant record of disputed fossils, many of which have been suggested as primitive jelly-like organisms. Finally, with the “Cambrian explosion” around 540 million years ago, we see the true blossoming of life on earth as we know it, with abundant fossil evidence of early corals. With such a sparse fossil record, it should come as no surprise that the relationships amongst the earliest branches of metazoan life have been contentious. For centuries, the proposed phylogenies have been based solely on morphology, principally concerning the cellular organization and tissue histology of these groups. But in the last few years, under the scrutiny of new molecular methods, we have gained new insights into the earliest animal interrelationships. Comb Jellies: Phylum Ctenophora 

The common Pleurobranchia. Credit: AP Photo/University of Florida

 One of the most significant recent breakthroughs in zoology has been the revelation that the comb jellies, which appear to be morphologically “advanced”, are in fact the earliest diverging lineage of metazoan life.… More:

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Medusa & polyp stages of cnidarians. Credit: Luc Viatour & Peter J. Bryant

 True Jellies & Corals: Phylum Cnidaria
And, finally, we have gotten to the group we are interested in. Within this large and diverse phylum we have many familiar forms: soft corals, stony corals, anemones, box jellies, the “true” jellies, Hydra, hydroids, sea pens, sea whips, sea pansies. Making sense of all this diversity can be a challenge, and before we delve into it, we need to better understand what defines a cnidarian. The name is derived from the Greek cnidos, meaning “stinging nettle”—an apt name for a group associated with its often painful stings. The manner with which it stings is unique in the animal kingdom. Within certain modified neural cells are specialized organelles (nematocysts) under osmotic pressure, capable of deploying a venomous barb when contacted. This feature alone is enough to identify any cnidarian, but also worth mentioning is their radial symmetry and gelatinous matrix (in place of a legitimate middle tissue layer). These last two features are shared with the comb jellies, but this is perhaps best understood as the retention of an ancestral jelly-like condition. To reiterate, these two groups of “jellies” are only distantly related.  The radial symmetry of jellies makes them seem particularly foreign to us bilaterally biased creatures, but research indicates that the same signaling pathways that give us our anterior/posterior axis are potentially responsible for the oral/aboral axis of cnidarians. Furthermore, the tetraradial symmetry of this phylum is only seen in the medusozoans to be discussed next; anthozoans (wherein resides all the various coral groups) are actually bilaterally symmetrical like us. So it seems quite plausible that cnidarians could have originally possessed a poorly-developed form of bilateral symmetry. While jellies may seem far removed from a species as morphologically complex as ourselves, it’s important to realize that much of the genetic architecture that enables that complexity can be found in a nascent stage here with the jellies. Much of our basic physiology—from how our nerves communicate to how our cells adhere together—can be seen as cnidarian in nature. True Jellies: Subphylum Medusazoa This group includes all of the pulsating jellies (scyphozoans), the enormously diverse hydrozoans, as well as the box jellies (cubozoans), the unusual stalked jellies (staurozoans), and even some bizarre internal parasites (polypodiozoans and myxozoans)! With the exception of the parasitic forms, all these groups possess a dual stage life cycle, alternating between an asexual polyp and a sexual medusa (i.e.… More:

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I recently purchased the Canary. For those unfamiliar with the device, it’s a sleek little tower that functions as a home security system. The Canary has a 1080 p, wide angle camera that keeps an eye on wherever it’s placed, it uses a motion detector to alert you of arrivals and has an air quality sensor along with temperature and humidity. The best part, the device takes literally minutes to install. I aimed it at the front door, so if I have a fish or coral arrive, I will be alerted the minute the Canary spots movement on my porch. The market is suddenly becoming flooded with simple tech. These are devices that cram a lot of unique functions into one small, often stylish piece of equipment. The days of underground wires, individual motion sensors, multiple routers and hardwired devices seem to be long gone. While home automation offers a diverse market, making high-tech simple products affordable, it appears like Fish Bit hopes to strike that same balance, right in our reef tanks. Controllers:Most of us are familiar with controllers. In fact, many aquarists, myself included, rely on them to maintain reef aquariums. We all know the power players in the controller world, and we also know these aren’t the easiest, or sleekest systems to set-up. Sensors, power bars, etc, etc need run to every items you want to control and in some cases a wired connection to a router is needed. To properly set-up a controller with aesthetic appeal takes time, and looking at all the parts makes many less than tech savvy aquarists stay away. Fish Bit hopes to change that, offering the simplicity of a device like the Canary. One part of the unit is where items you wish to control are plugged in, the other part magnetically attaches somewhere in the aquarium and controls and monitors parameters, wirelessly. What we know?Sadly, Fish Bit’s website is a little scant on information. The promise is there, and during the unit’s promotional video, it’s claimed that it can aid aquarists in knowing when to complete a water change. Does this mean there is a nitrate or phosphate probe within the unit? We don’t know. The promotional material shows that the Fish Bit connects to a smart phone, likely both Android and iOS – but most of the controllers already on the market offer the same functionality.… More:

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Credit: NERC CHESSO project

 Relicanthus daphnaea: Incerti ordinis A recent study of sea anemone genetics revealed a surprising finding—a species formerly included amongst the “swimming anemones” was in fact a completely different order of hexacoral. This large colorful species is known only from hydrothermal vents in the ocean depths. Calling this species “large” is a bit of an understatement, as the body can reach up to a meter across, with tentacles up to two meter long. This is in fact the largest polyp known to science! Its former placement amongst the “swimming anemones” is indicative of a high degree of morphological convergence, particularly amongst the nematocysts. But the incongruities in body size, habitat and genetics strongly indicate this species occupies its own  unique branch of the hexacoral tree of life. More work remains before the issue is settled and a complete classification is in place. Button Polyps: Order Zoantharia 

The unusual dimorphic mesenteries of Zoantharia, & the “yellow polyp” Terrazoanthus sp.. Credit: 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica & BeakerBob

 Sister to the bizarre Relicanthus is a familiar group of small, colonial polyps known variously as button polyps or zoas. Several important characters help define this group: 1) the incorporation of sand/sediment into the tissue to add support (note that this is absent from the common aquarium genus Zoanthus) 2) two rows of tentacles encircling the oral disc 3) a unique arrangement of dimorphic mesentery pairs. The unusual morphology and growth of the mesenteries has been suggested as a possible derivation from the serial septal growth seen in the extinct Rugosa. 

The solitary Sphenopus, opened and closed. Credit: Reimer et al 2012

 While the vast majority of species are colonial, remaining interconnected either with stolons or embedded within a common mat, there is one group whose species remain solitary throughout their lives. The three species of Sphenopus are found in sandy areas throughout the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific. These large polyps (up to 3.5 cm across) are azooxanthellate and presumably micropredaceous suspension feeders. Molecular study indicates this bizarre group is actually derived from within the colonial genus Palythoa. Sadly, I have yet to hear of these strange polyps being exported for aquarists. While Sphenopus may not be as chromatically brilliant as your typical zoa, this is a fascinating organism—one which deserves a place in the aquarium hobby! Honeycomb Corals: Order Tabulata † 

Favosites, note the mural pores.

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In the boreal (Northern Hemisphere) Spring of 2014, warm waters began to appear at the surface of the equatorial East Pacific. This appearance caused much stir and speculation about the potential development of something we have not seen in nearly two decades now: a strong El Niño event. A brief refresher: The El Niño – Southern Oscillation is the largest form of year-to-year climate variability on the planet, affecting sea surface (and coral reef) temperatures, as well as weather patterns, on a global scale. They can wreak havoc on socioeconomic establishments ranging from architecture to agriculture in addition to pummeling natural systems, causing widespread bleaching and potential mortality for coral reefs. However, as summer came and summer went, conditions in the Pacific remained neutral and benign. In September of last year, I published This blog post detailing what an event was, why it matters, and why it may have fizzled out. The global climate system and coral reefs worldwide will not likely dodge a bullet this year… 

Current sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, or departures relative to the average for this time of year, as of today, June 11th. Notice the extreme warming in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific.

  As 2015 crept into the spring, that same warming in the Eastern Pacific has reappeared. And unlike 2014, there is no hint of it backing down. On the contrary, it seems to be following the trajectory of the most extreme event in the record, 1997/1998. 

Same as above, but using available data from the same week in June, 1997.

 In fact, the regions where we monitor El Niño in the tropical Pacific show warming that is already arguably stronger and more pronounced than what was observed in the early summer of 1997. These departures can be tracked weekly using the NOAA Climate Prediction Center El Niño – Southern Oscillation update website. 

NOAA Climate Prediction Center current weekly anomalies in different El Niño monitoring regions. Surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region only need to be 0.5°C above normal to be in “El Niño Conditions”, they are currently at 1.2°C above normal.

 I have started a thread in the Science Forum for updates and discussion, but the take home message here is that we may be facing an extremely large event, with unforetold impacts on our beloved marine ecosystems over the coming year. 

Time evolution of surface warming in areas of the Pacific where El Niño conditions are monitored.

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The anemone-like Corallimorphus profundus. Credit: Reimann-Zürneck & Iken 2003

 Mushroom Corals: Order Corallimorpharia There are only about fifty described species of corallimorpharians, but, despite this limited diversity, they are well-known amongst aquarists. The genera commonly exported are fairly homogenous in resembling anemones that have nearly lost their tentacles, but there are some very anemone-like exceptions—like the “orange ball anemone” Pseudocorynactis. In truth, this group is actually far more closely related to the stony corals, which at first glance seem quite different. How then do we differentiate these three groups?  An important distinction must be made concerning the placement of the tentacles in anemones and corallimorphs. In many anemones, the tentacles are located only around the margin of the oral disk, whereas in corallimorphs these tentacles extend towards the mouth to fill most of the disk. This is not universally true, as some anemones have secondarily evolved a tentacle-filled oral disk. In fact, nearly all of the common aquarium anemone species violate this rule—Stichodactyla, Radianthus, Entamacaea, Cryptodendrum, Heterodactyla. This even caused confusion amongst taxonomists, who at one time considered Ricordea as belonging amongst these anemones. The differences that exist involve subtle nuances of the nematocysts and body musculature, but a good rule of thumb is that corallimorphs lack the ability to rapidly move themselves in the manner of an anemone. The anatomy of a corallimorph is essentially identical to the stony corals, save for the lack of a secreted skeleton. But, as discussed earlier, stony corals were not always stony, and this begs the question: Are corallimorphs actually a distinct evolutionary lineage, or are these merely stony corals that lost their skeleton? This latter scenario is known as the “naked coral” hypothesis. Definitive answers to this mystery have not been forthcoming, but recent studies analyzing the complete mitochondrial genomes of numerous genera have allowed researchers to make some headway. The results so far have provided strong evidence that corallimorphs are indeed a monophyletic group sister to the stony corals, though until studies of nuclear DNA are completed there is still some room for uncertainty. The species at the base of the corallimorph tree is Corallimorphus profundus, a large, anemone-like species known from the deep ocean floors and shallow waters of Antarctica. Its mitochondrial genome is ordered in much the same manner as in scleractinians, but the genetic code contained in it shows it to belong with the Corallimorpharia.… More:

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Joe Yaiullo’s 20,000 gallon dream aquarium can teach us a lot about aquascaping in our own home aquariums. This quartet of coral has worked out a delicate balance, and each is able to hold its own against its neighbors. 

4 corals hold their own against each other

 The star of this quartet is the pink and red Echinophyllia, which itself looks like fused chunks of seperate coral colonies. These chalice coral are notorious for spitting out their digestive filaments onto their neighbors at night, devouring them whole. However, the Lithophylon to the right and the Mycedium to the left don’t seem to be experiencing any damage. There is some very minor damage to the green Stylophora from the Mycedium and Exhinophyllia, and I hypothesize that the Stylo is producing chemical defenses against the chalices. I’ve seen similar robustness in Montipora that are in close contact with Echinophyllia. Acropora, however, were easily digested.… More:

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