Deep-sea coral earns place in prestigious WoRMS Top 10 Marine Species of 2025
National Oceanography Centre
Published: 19 March 2026
Deltocyathus zoometallicus, the first hard coral found on polymetallic nodules in the deep Pacific, is named among the WoRMS Top 10 most remarkable new marine species of 2025.
Keywords: deep-sea coral, polymetallic nodules, Clarion-Clipperton Zone, WoRMS, marine taxonomy, new species, deep-sea mining
Endangered smalltooth sawfish make a comeback in a historical Florida nursery
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Published: 17 March 2026
Acoustic tagging reveals juvenile smalltooth sawfish showing strong site fidelity in the Indian River Lagoon, spending up to 87% of detected days within 0.4 sq km — the first evidence this historical nursery is functioning again.
Keywords: smalltooth sawfish, marine conservation, Indian River Lagoon, acoustic tagging, endangered species, nursery habitat, Florida
New study of global reef growth over past 12,000 years offers insights into impact of rising ocean temperatures
Florida Institute of Technology
Published: 11 March 2026
Analysis of 1,890 geologic reef cores reveals coral reefs grew fastest at 24-25°C over the past 12,000 years, but modern ocean temperatures averaging 28°C now exceed this optimal range, limiting reef growth.
Keywords: coral reefs, reef growth, sea surface temperature, Holocene, climate change, ocean warming, marine ecology
