Mass coral spawning
One of the most spectacular events to occur on the Great Barrier Reef is the annual synchronised spawning of corals.
One of the most spectacular events to occur on the Great Barrier Reef is the annual synchronised spawning of corals.
This mass reproduction only happens once a year. It involves colonies and species of coral polyps simultaneously releasing tiny egg and sperm bundles from their gut cavity into the water.
By expelling the eggs and sperm at the same time, the coral increases the likelihood that fertilisation will take place.
The phenomenon — which only happens at night — resembles an underwater snowstorm. But rather than being all white, there are also clouds of red, yellow and orange. All the bundles rise slowly to the surface where the process of fertilisation begins.
#didyouknow #upsc #iasbaba
#didyouknow #upsc #iasbaba
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