Fluorescent Coral in in Long wave UV Light

An image of Acanthastrea lordhowensis coral in Long wave UV Light showing orange Fluorescence. This species of coral will glow brightly when illuminated in ultra-violet(UV) light. Each head of coral is formed by a colony of genetically identical polyps which secrete a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate; this makes them important coral reef builders. It is thought the glow may attract symbiotic algae, or protect the coral from the intense ultraviolet light of the Sun in shallow water. This image is part of a series showing the identical specimen in white light and UV light..

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Filename: K12UVcorals007.JPG
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 5616x3744 / 9.2MB; Animal Acanthastrea lordhowensis Acanthastrea biofluorescence biofluorescent biology colony colorful coral coral reef corals Pectinia fluorescence fluorescent glow glowing illuminated illumination light lit lit-up marine marine biology nature ultra-violet ultraviolet underwater uv water wildlife fauna biological zoological horizontal zoology salt water saltwater sea life sealife polyp polyps reef
Contained in galleries: UV Coral

An image of Acanthastrea lordhowensis coral in Long wave UV Light showing orange Fluorescence. This species of coral will glow brightly when illuminated in ultra-violet(UV) light. Each head of coral is formed by a colony of genetically identical polyps which secrete a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate; this makes them important coral reef builders. It is thought the glow may attract symbiotic algae, or protect the coral from the intense ultraviolet light of the Sun in shallow water. This image is part of a series showing the identical specimen in white light and UV light..