The Mediterranean also has its own fluorescent coral. In recent days, during an oceanographic research campaign with the Astre ship aimed at studying the deep populations of red coral of the Egadi Islands, ISPRA scientists have found in the Sicilian waters in front of San Vito Lo Capo, a specimen of Savalia lucifica, a particular black coral that lights up to the touch.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
The Mediterranean also has its own fluorescent coral. In recent days, during an oceanographic research campaign on the ship Star, aimed at the study of deep populations of Egadi red coral, ISPRA scientists have found in the Sicilian waters in front of San Vito Lo Capo, a specimen of Savalia lucifica, a particular black coral that lights up at the touch.
This species had so far only been reported in the Pacific Ocean, along the Californian coast at a depth of about 700 meters, but the sophisticated underwater robot of the higher institute for environmental protection and research has managed to immortalize it also in the waters of the Mediterranean at a depth of 270 meters.
The Savalia lucifica coral is a very rare species that is part of the group of zoantheans and it had never been reported in the Marenostrum before. It is characterized compared to other similar species, such as the Savalia savaglia - the so-called false black coral - both for the substrate and parasite - the deep sea gorgonian Callorgorgia verticillata - but, above all for its ability to light up when stimulated by physical contact.
Another proof and one more reason to try to protect the treasure trove of biodiversity contained in the Sicilian sea too often raped by drilling, plastic and wild fishing.
