Meeresbiologists have discovered a previously unknown coral reef off the coast of southern Italy that spans over two kilometers in length. What makes this reef unusual is that it lies at a relatively great depth. Although corals are widespread in the Mediterranean, reef-building species are rare. The discovery of a 2.5-kilometer-long coral reef off the coast of Monopoli in Apulia, Italy, at a depth of 30 to 55 meters, is therefore remarkable. The coral reef was discovered by a team led by Giuseppe Corriero of the University of Bari Aldo Moro and reported in the journal Scientific Reports.
While the corals in the study are found in many areas of the Mediterranean, it was not previously known that they could form three-dimensional reef structures. Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots, and the most important coral species for reef formation are the tropical Phyllangia americana mouchezii and the Polycyathus muellerae. Complex coral reefs are mostly found in nutrient-poor waters in the Indo-Pacific and western Atlantic. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef at around 2,000 kilometers in length, is probably the most well-known. However, coral reefs can also form in deeper waters, where less sunlight penetrates.
The colors of the corals in the newly discovered reef are described as muted, ranging from orange to red to violet. The researchers also suspect that there is another larger coral reef about 100 kilometers south of the one they discovered. Further investigations will determine whether the researchers are correct in their assumption. Coral reefs are not only beautiful but also important ecosystems that support a wide range of marine life. The discovery of this new coral reef off the coast of southern Italy is therefore significant and highlights the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems.
