Deciphering the inner structure of Cycloseris vaughani

Abstract

Reef-building corals are the primary component of coral reefs and are significant for marine ecosystems. However, currently coral reefs are declining globally due to El Niño, ocean acidification and overexploitation. To maintain coral populations and reduce the impact of ecological threats, it is crucial to understand the structures and formation processes of coral reefs. Large-scale microtomography can reveal the structures of entire coral reefs at the resolution of micrometres, providing an effective and innovative way to study the formation of coral reefs. Here, we use this technique to capture the entire structure of a reef-building coral in the Fungiidae from the South China Sea, Cycloseris vaughani, a reef-building coral of high ecological and economic value. In this study, we investigate its distinctive skeletal structure and growth rings. Reconstructed results exhibit microporous tunnels in the central mouth area and radiant rib-shaped skeletons surrounding the mouth. Our work promotes an in-depth understanding of coral structure while also providing a novel research approach for the protection of coral reefs. It also shows that large-scale microtomography is an effective method in tracking the growth process of reef-building corals, facilitating the understanding of coral biological characteristics, and filling the gaps in current coral research.