Those mucous corals

2004/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia

Normally they coexist with photosynthetic algae in symbiosis and in this process they use about half of the matter extracted from this symbiosis. Scientists believe that coral has grounds for such high spending, as it uses a large fishing resource to create mucus. On the one hand, mucus helps coral maintain a proper moisture level. On the other hand, it protects against infections.

Now, biologists have wanted to know more about this feature by analyzing the mucus cycle. The mucus gradually dissolves in the water and disperses around the coral and is fertilizer for microorganisms in the area. The environment is enriched.

Because the enriched environment offers, among other things, the material needed to feed corals, the whole cycle is a way to recycle fertilizers. Therefore, coral recovers those fertilizers lost through mucus.