Coral Reef Fact: The Atlantic Thorny-oyster (Spondylus americanu) is grouped in the same superfamily as the scallops, but like the true oysters (family Ostreidae) they cement themselves to rocks on reefs, usually under overhangs or in recesses. Learn more Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral reefs become a member today.
Coral Reef Fact: Unlike most jellyfish, mangrove upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana) is seldom seen swimming, it spends most of its time upside down, pulsating, on sandy or muddy substrates in mangrove or soft bottom bay habitats. This allows the photosynthetic zooxanthellae (symbiotic dinoflagellate algae) within its tentacles access to light. Learn more Please support Reef […]
BY TIMOTHY O’HARA Citizen Staff [email protected] A national conservation group plans to sue federal fishery managers for not following through on a plan to protect 82 different species of coral, some of which are found off the Florida Keys. The Center for Biological Diversity last week filed a notice of its intent to sue the […]
Coral Reef Fact: The Bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo), the smallest hammerhead shark, excretes, a special body fluid, called “cerebrospinal fluid” or to let others know it is nearby. It also utilizes an electric-field sensing system similar to radar. This allows the shark to attack prey within a few feet where its eyes are least able […]
The Social and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) is conducting research in Puerto Rico on coral reefs and tourism. We are documenting the degree to which snorkelers and divers engage in behavior that could be damaging to the coral reefs of Puerto Rico. They will also measure the effectiveness of reef etiquette messages at changing people’s […]
Coral Reef Fact: The Blanket Octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus)displays the most extreme degree of sexual dimorphism in a non-microscopic animal. The mature males are tiny compared to the females, just a few centimeters long. The weight of mature males is at least 1:10,000 of mature females. Learn more Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect the […]
BY SANDER R. SCHEFFERS, ROB. W. M. VAN SOEST, GERARD. NIEUWLAND, AND ROLF P. M. BAK ISSUED BY ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 583 ABSTRACT Hard substratum surface area of framework cavities constitutes a major habitat in coral reefs. We studied the community composition and distribution of cryptic sessile macro-organisms in framework cavities in relation to […]
Executive Summary Climate change is now widely acknowledged as a global problem that threatens the success of marine and coastal conservation, management, and policy. Mitigation and adaptation are the two approaches commonly used to address actual and projected climate change impacts. Mitigation applies to efforts to decrease the rate and extent of climate change through […]
Coral Reef Fact: Calcareous algae produce calcium carbonate (limestone) when the algae dies, sand from the limestone is produced. As a result, this algae produces up to 65% percent of the sand found on tropical beaches. Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect the marine environment.
MARY FOSTER Associated Press February 5, 2011, 8:54 a.m NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sales of Gulf of Mexico seafood are getting a boost from the military after being hammered by last year’s BP oil spill, which left consumers fearing the water’s bounty had been tainted. Ten products including fish, shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, and packaged […]