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A close-up view of an Acropora coral.

A close-up view of an Acropora coral.
A close-up view of an Acropora coral.
A close-up view of an Acropora coral.
A close-up view of an Acropora coral.
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Lamar, Luis
A close-up view of an Acropora coral.
Still Image
11/09/2012
graphics/oceanus_corals/_MG_1652_LuisLamar.jpg
Oceanus online slideshow caption:
A close-up view of an Acropora coral reveals small individual coral polyps (the small button-like dots), but a microscope is required to study the corals' microbial partners. Scientists think that the purple tips of this coral protect the polyps from the high light levels they receive in shallow reef waters.
Image Of the Day caption:
A close-up view of an Acropora coral reveals small individual coral polyps (the small, button-like dots), but a microscope is necessary to study the millions of inhabitants inside the coralmicrobes. WHOI microbiologist Amy Apprill is studying how microscopic life such as bacteria, and algae interact with corals to scavenge for nutrients, remove waste and perform other jobs. This new way of looking at corals is similar to the way some scientists look at humansas complex superorganisms that incorporate microbes in symbiotic collaborations.
Photo by Luis Lamar
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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