Coral Bleaching

This is a scleractinian coral on a Panamanian reef that has partially bleached due to stress. While the cause of stress is unclear, the amount of sediment around suggests that water clarity may have been a factor. Bleaching occurs when coral polyps release their zooxanthellae (algal symbionts), cutting off a primary source of sugars. Death of this coral will further degrade the habitat structure on the reef and encourage macroalgal growth.

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