| Value |
50
%
|
| Organism |
Coral |
| Reference |
Rosenberg E, Koren O, Reshef L, Efrony R, Zilber-Rosenberg I. The role of microorganisms in coral health, disease and evolution. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2007 May5(5):355-62. DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1635 p.356 right column 3rd paragraphPubMed ID17384666
|
| Primary Source |
[33] Ferrer, L. M. & Szmant, A. M. Nutrient regeneration by the endolithic community in coral skeletons. Proc. 6th Int. Coral Reef Symp. Australia 3, 1–4 (1988). |
| Comments |
P.356 right column 3rd paragraph: "Coral skeletons are porous structures inhabited by a variety of bacteria. This endolithic community (A group of organisms that live inside the pore space of rocks, in this case the space within the coral skeleton) has been estimated to satisfy 50% of the total nitrogen needs of the coral [primary source]. Cyanobacteria in the skeleton of Oculina patagonica provide organic compounds (produced by photosynthesis) to the coral tissue [ref 34]. These bacteria could be crucial for the survival of the coral when it loses its endosymbiotic algae [ref 35], a disease referred to as coral bleaching (The whitening of corals due to the loss of their symbiotic zooxanthellae or the pigments
associated with the algae)." |
| Entered by |
Uri M |
| ID |
113021 |