A new paper published in Nature suggests that climate change may not have the devastating effect on corals that has been predicted. Scientists documented the regeneration of 21 reefs in the Seychelles that had been largely killed off during the coral beaching episode of 1998. The study shows that by 2011, 12 of the reefs had recovered to pre 1998 levels.
A paper published in Nature’s Scientific Reports describes the first freshwater coralline algae. Pneophyllum cetinaensis is a red algae, which are typically a significant component of sea beds in marine environments. In this instance, the new species has been found in the River Cetina in Croatia.
Nature has published a paper that illuminates the complex nature of relationships among fishes. A study carried out around Lizard Island, Greta Barrier Reef, Australia has shown that rabbitfishes (Siganus corallinus, S. doliatus, S. puellus, and S. vulpinus) operate as pairs, with one partner maintaining a look-out while the other feeds. behavior suggests that the fish have powers of cognition, reciprocity and cooperation that were previously not associated with fishes in general. (Image by BS Thurner Hof).