Gene Sleuths Open Line of Attack On Coral-Killing Starfish

April 5, 2017 by

The beast goes by the Latin monicker of Acanthaster planci, but it is known to us as the crown-of-thorns — a venomous starfish that is ravaging our precious coral reefs. One of many threats to coral, the large, spine-studded species — named after the diadem of thorns set on Jesus’ head — is capable of … Read more

Great Barrier Reef May Never Recover From Bleaching

March 15, 2017 by

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef may never recover from last year’s warming-driven coral bleaching, said a study Wednesday that called for urgent action in the face of ineffective conservation efforts. Record-high temperatures in 2015 and 2016 drove an unprecedented bleaching episode, which occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live in their tissue and provide … Read more