Fish among elkhorn and staghorn corals (IMAGE)

Penn State

Fish among elkhorn and staghorn corals

Caption

Genetic differences between strains of the microscopic algae that live within reef-building coral correspond to the coral species they inhabit. Some of the observed differences occur in genes related to the algae's metabolism and physiology, which could enable the algae to adapt to the unique demands imposed by each host's microenvironment.

Credit

Lisa Carne, Fragments of Hope Belize

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