Kimberley corals

Kimberley corals
Kimberley corals on the shoreline of Australia appear to have adapted to survive in higher temperatures and more extreme and turbid conditions than previously thought.

The coloring in this green coral actually comes from an algae living in a symbiotic relationship with the coral polyps. The algae is called zooxanthellae and while creating spectacularly beautiful colored patterns, also provides nutrient to the host coral through a process of photosynthesis and the absorption of excess CO2 from the ocean waters.