Scientists have seen stony coral cells engulf dinoflagellates – single-celled, photosynthetic algae that are crucial for keeping coral alive. The researchers cultured endoderm-like cells from the stony coral, Acropora tenuis. Around 40% of coral cells incorporated the algae in around 30 minutes and remained healthy for one month. The research is a step towards understanding the partnership between coral and dinoflagellates and could shed light on how coral bleaching occurs.
