The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) reports on the success of the yellow pencil coral (Madracis mirabilis) in Curaçao.
In the reefs surrounding Curaçao, one coral species is standing out for all the right reasons. On Curaçao, the yellow pencil coral (Madracis mirabilis) has become one of the most common hard corals, making up more than a quarter of the island’s coral reefs. A recent study led by Bailey Wallace and Cynthia Silveira from the University of Miami, in collaboration with researchers from CARMABI, set out to uncover the secret behind this coral’s surprising success. Using advanced DNA sequencing tools, the team explored the coral’s hidden world of bacteria and viruses, revealing a complex microbial community that may be key to its resilience.
The Secret Life of Microbes: The researchers discovered that the yellow pencil coral hosts an exceptionally rich and diverse community of microbes, with around 12% higher bacterial richness and 20% more viral species than other nearby corals. These tiny organisms aren’t just bystanders; they help defend the coral, recycle nutrients, and even share useful genes that boost its resilience. Two types of bacteria stood out: Ruegeria and Sphingomonas, both known for promoting coral health and fighting off harmful microbes. Even more surprising, viruses that establish dormant infections in bacteria, called prophages, may be acting as allies, passing on genes that help bacteria withstand stress and adapt to pollution. In other words, these corals have built-in microscopic partners helping them survive in conditions that would harm most others.
Understanding why Pencil Coral thrives when other species struggle could hold valuable lessons for coral conservation across the Dutch Caribbean. As coral reefs continue to face rising temperatures, nutrient pollution, and disease, species like these offer clues to what resilience looks like in action. These insights could one day help shape new approaches to reef restoration, perhaps even using beneficial microbes to strengthen vulnerable corals. The work also highlights the importance of research collaborations between Caribbean institutions like CARMABI and international partners, bringing science closer to protecting local reefs. [. . .]
For full article, see https://dcnanature.org/microbes/
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) reports on the success of the yellow pencil coral (Madracis mirabilis) in Curaçao. In the reefs surrounding Curaçao, one coral species is standing out for all the right reasons. On Curaçao, the yellow pencil coral (Madracis mirabilis) has become one of the most common hard corals, making up more