Audio Transcript:
(Sound effect: dinner bell becomes muted) Silent dinner bell.
I'm Bob Karson with the discovery files--new advances in science and engineering from the National Science Foundation.
(Sound effect: underwater voice on p.a. speaker) "Attention algae eaters we have a seaweed special on coral five, all you can eat as long as it lasts."
When coral reefs are in danger from reef-killing algae--or seaweed -- wouldn't it be wonderful if they could put the word out and get help from algae-eating fish? Well, they can, according to scientists at Georgia Tech. Through a chemical signal, one that masses throngs of hungry one-inch long fish called gobies to swallow up or remove the toxic seaweed. It's a symbiotic relationship. The gobies gobble and the coral provides safe haven.
The research studied goby behavior, when an especially toxic seaweed, is introduced onto the coral. Within minutes of contact it was "go, go gobies." The little munchers defended their home among the coral by going right to the site of the offending seaweed and nipping it in the bud. By testing water samples, the scientists determined it was not the presence of the seaweed that alerted the gobies, but a chemical odor released by the coral as a signal.
This new information really demonstrates the complexity of coral reef systems. Scientists say it may be a key to understanding the resilience of some coral species.
The fish take care of the coral--the coral take care of the fish. Should we think of seaweed as the "goby dessert?" (Sound effect: rimshot) Sorry.
"The discovery files" covers projects funded by the government's national science foundation. Federally sponsored research--brought to you, by you! Learn more at nsf.gov or on our podcast.
