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Wed, 28 Jul 2010
MAJURO, Marshall Islands (RNZI) ----- An Australian scientist has discovered what could be the world’s rarest coral in the remote North Pacific.
The Pacific elkhorn coral was found during underwater surveys at Arno atoll, in the Marshall Islands, by coral researcher Dr Zoe Richards of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
The coral bears a close physical resemblance to the critically endangered and fast-vanishing elkhorn coral, or Acropora Palmata, which is found in the Atlantic.
But genetic analysis has shown it to be a different species.
Dr Richards said she was absolutely stunned when she found the huge colonies - five metres across and nearly two metres high with branches like an elk’s antlers.
The find is considered great news since Acropora is the dominant genus of reef-building corals.
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