Researchers in Florida are crossbreeding elkhorn coral from Honduras with US corals to save Florida's coral reefs, inspired by past success with the Florida panther.
Researchers at the University of Miami and Tampa's Florida Aquarium are exploring crossbreeding to save Florida's coral reefs, inspired by the success of the technique in helping the Florida panther avoid extinction. They've brought over a dozen elkhorn coral fragments from Honduras to US coral nurseries in Miami and Apollo Beach. Scientists plan to replicate natural conditions in the Keys to encourage the coral fragments from Honduras and Florida to spawn simultaneously, allowing cross-fertilization. The next step is to place the coral offspring on the reef with state and federal approval. A similar attempt in 2019 was successful.
July 14, 2024
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