Two researchers from different Israeli universities captured an extraordinary event this last March while diving in the Red Sea. Coral typically feed on microscopic plankton, fractions of a millimeter in size, but the divers discovered mushroom coral (Fungia scruposa) consuming entire adult moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)!
Photo: Omri Bronstein
How could this stationary being lure and capture jellyfish? Since this area was experiencing a huge bloom of jellyfish, maybe it was purely by chance that the jellies found their way into the “mouth” of the corals. By installing remote video cameras on the corals, one might just solve this mystery!
The researchers speculate that this previously unheard of behavior may give coral an advantage in a changing climate, especially since jelly blooms are increasing due to anthropogenic disruptions to ecosystems. Diversify your portfolio, baby!
The researchers, who witnessed the event numerous times, wrote up their account in the journal Coral Reefs.
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