CoralsPalau has many of the famous corals known worldwide for their stunning beauty. The reef is populated by many species of fish, invertebrates, and several reptiles. Corals are the result of a symbiotic relationship between a Cnidarian (related to jellyfish and sea anemone) and an algae known as zooxanthellae. The Cindarian polyps secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton. This makes them very hard a sharp. This skeleton protects the polyp and the zooxanthellae who give corals their magnificent colors (they are otherwise white). The zooxanthellae gives the corals most of its food in exchange for a safe place to live.
Even though the skeleton is strong, when you visit, be sure not to touch or take anything! Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but bubbles. Corals are currently at great risk due to ocean acidification (the lowering of the oceans' pH) and coral bleaching (the process through which corals expel their symbiotes) . |
FishPalau has over 1200 species of reef fish. This incredible diversity rivals that of the legendary Coral Triangle and other highly diverse reefs. These fish have been popular with collectors and have resulted in international trade of fish as well as marine invertebrates.
These fish are extremely varied but include damselfish, wrasses and gobies who live amongst the reef with other large vertebrates such as sea turtles and sea snakes. Palau's reef is uniquely resistant to invasive species. Although a few have been identified, there has been no quantifiable effects on the ecosystem. |
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Source: http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/coral_report_2005/Palau_Ch17_C.pdf