Abstract
The authors state that they investigated the elemental composition of a coral skeleton, but the image they present (Fig. 2) displays barnacles (attached to a piece of rock), belonging to the Arthropoda. Corals, although being animals as well, belong to the Cnidaria. These two groups of organisms, Arthropoda and Cnidaria, are clearly phylogenetically separated and have no morphological features in common. Some corals represent reef building organisms which can lead to the formation of massive structures extending across several kilometers, whereas barnacles are objects of a few centimeters in size. The authors describe corals to be among the oldest and most primitive sea organisms. Both statements are not correct. The term “primitive” should not be used in an evolutionary context and corals do not belong to the oldest marine organisms. Corals appeared ca. 550 million years BP, whereas cyanobacteria have evolved ca. three billion years ago. We think that it is not only necessary to point out that the authors did not do the measurements on the material they thought they would, but also to comment on two crucial statements from the introduction and conclusion section. As objective of the paper the following is stated at the end of the introduction section:
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
