A romantic sunset / Rebecca Kofei

Researchers have discovered why corals only reproduce at dusk

Polyps photo: US Atmospheric and Oceanic Agency
Polyps photo: US Atmospheric and Oceanic Agency

It's hard to woo girls of the opposite sex when you can't move, so polyps, the tiny creatures whose exoskeletons form coral, don't reproduce by mating. Instead, they spread millions of sperm cells and eggs in the seawater, where they drift and float to the surface, meet and form embryos, which are carried away and eventually form new coral reefs.

The polyps may not be picky about who their "partners" are, but they are very particular about timing. All the polyps on any coral reef will spread their eggs and sperm at the same time, in short bursts lasting one night, or only a few consecutive nights a year. This usually happens right after sunset on the evenings after a full moon. Scientists are only now beginning to decipher the secrets of this orchestrated display.

8 תגובות

  1. And when a dog is born, it is called a puppy in Hebrew. And when a person is born they call him a baby

  2. joins the lion as well
    In the subheading it says "Find out why corals multiply"... delete why/why

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