We report an extraordinary depth range for Leptoseris fragilis (Milne Edwards and Haime), a reef building coral of the Red Sea living in cytosymbiosis with zooxanthellae. The coral harbours an as yet unknown pigment system. We suggest that the heterotrophic host — the coral — provides its photoautotrophic symbionts with additional light. The supplementary light is provided by host pigments which transform light of short wavelengths into suitable wavelengths for photosynthesis, thus amplifying and increasing the transfer of photoassimilates from the zooxanthellae to the host.

Depth range
50- 145 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 1561 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Physiology
Ecology

Focusgroups
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)
Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae)

Locations
Israel - Red Sea

Platforms
Manned Submersible