The discovery of a 480-million-year-old sponge in China has revolutionized scientists’ understanding of early reef ecosystems ...

Despite their distinction as one of Earth's oldest lifeforms and the key role they play in sustaining coral reef ecosystems, ...

Many sea sponges, like anemones ... scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala), closely resembles the reef's rocky, algae- and coral-encrusted bottom, where it lies in wait for crustaceans and ...

Read about different competitive relationships on the reef. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops ... which deters predators. Sea sponges and other sessile (anchored) organisms compete fiercely with ...

Three new areas: a Cuabales mountain range, a migratory bird refuge, and a coral reef of more than 20,000 hectares, in the ...

They say that, despite their distinction as one of Earth’s oldest lifeforms and the "key" role they play in sustaining coral reef ecosystems, marine sponges are vastly understudied. KÄ ne’ohe Bay, ...

Coral reef ecosystems are generally high in biodiversity, most often found in shallow tropical seas, and are threatened by factors including ocean acidification, global warming and sea level rise.

sea urchins and sponges. Corals are found in all of Earth's oceans, from tropical to freezing temperatures, however they only build coral reefs in warm, shallow seas in the tropics. Among the biggest ...

And yet, with ocean temperatures rising, coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Learn more about the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative, a partnership to safeguard globally significant coral ...