Scientists recreate endangered coral species in the lab

In laboratories across Florida (USA), biologists are regenerating coral reefs to prevent population decline due to disease.

Corals in the Florida Straits near Key Largo are showing signs similar to the white plague identified in the 1970s. However, SCTLD first appeared near Miami in 2014. It spread south along the following the Florida Keys and is currently found in the Caribbean near South America. This disease causes coral to calcify and die.

A diver swims among dead coral reefs in the Florida Straits near Key Largo. In an effort to protect corals from extinction, scientists are looking for species that can withstand harsh living conditions to preserve by creating gene banks and breeding them.

Many people worry that the decline in coral numbers will affect the region's tourism industry.

Biologists are taking healthy coral from the affected reefs to care for them in saltwater tanks at 22 different locations, including the Florida Coral Rescue Center in Orlando.

In an effort to cultivate corals that are resistant to disease, as well as withstand warming ocean waters, researchers are working to understand the genetic capabilities of the rescued creatures.

A 300-year-old giant coral off the coast of Fort Lauderdale succumbed to the SCTLD disease in just 4 months. As the disease spread south along Florida's coral reefs, biologists quickly collected them from Dry Tortugas National Park and transferred them to aquariums to prevent the spread of SCLTD.

A researcher works with newly spawned corals in an aquarium.

Proactive monitoring by scientists has helped prevent coral decline in Florida waters. Using the antibiotic amoxicillin is said to slow the spread of disease and increase coral survival.