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Corals are tiny reef-building animals; on some nights, whole colonies release eggs and sperm into the sea at once.

NOAA Ocean Service

ScienceNatureOcean

Why it matters

The idea in context

This synchronized coral spawning can look like an underwater snowstorm. Lunar cycle, water temperature and sunset help time the release, giving fragile new coral life a better chance to meet, drift and settle.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Mercanlar, resifleri oluşturan küçük deniz canlılarıdır; bazı geceler bütün koloni yumurta ve spermlerini aynı anda denize bırakır.

Bu olaya “mercan üremesi” denir ve suyun altında hafif bir kar fırtınası gibi görünür. Ay döngüsü, su sıcaklığı ve gün batımı zamanlamada etkili olabilir. Aynı anda üremek, yeni mercanların birbirine ulaşma ve yaşama tutunma şansını artırır.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

NOAA Ocean Service explains that coral spawning can involve entire coral colonies simultaneously releasing eggs and sperm, cued by lunar cycle and water temperature; NOAA Sanctuaries describes predictable mass spawning events. Sources: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral-spawning.html ; https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/may22/explore-spectacular/coral-spawning.html

Background reading: Coral spawningAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
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