Florida scientists induce spawning of Atlantic coral in lab for first time
AUGUST 22, 2019 / 8:52 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Lucas Jackson
4 MIN READ
APOLLO BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - Scientists in Florida have artificially induced reproductive spawning of an endangered Atlantic coral species for the first time in an aquarium setting, a breakthrough they say holds great promise in efforts to restore depleted reefs in the wild.
The achievement, announced this week at the Florida Aquarium in Apollo Beach near Tampa, borrowed from lab techniques developed at the London-based Horniman Museum and Gardens and used previously to induce spawning of 18 species of Pacific coral, officials said.
Scientists plan to use their newly acquired expertise to breed new coral colonies that can one day repopulate the beleaguered Florida reef system, one of the largest in the world and one decimated by climate change, pollution and disease in recent decades.
“This is truly the future of coral restoration in Florida and around the world,” Keri O’Neil, senior coral scientist at the Florida Aquarium, told Reuters on Thursday. “We’ll be able to do this for dozens of species, and it opens up a world of new possibilities.”
More:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-environment-coral/florida-scientists-induce-spawning-of-atlantic-coral-in-lab-for-first-time-idUKKCN1VD06K?rpc=401&